Johnson Controls will present new thermal management solutions and integrated building technologies at AHR Expo 2026 in Las Vegas, February 2–4. The company’s booth (C2925) will feature systems designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and support mission-critical sectors such as data centers, healthcare, and bioproduction.
Among the highlights is the preview of the YORK YK-HT high-density, two-stage economized centrifugal chiller. Designed for data centers and large industrial, pharmaceutical, and healthcare campuses, the YK-HT offers an extended operating range with condenser leaving fluid temperatures up to 165°F (74°C) and up to 110°F (43°C) of lift. This capability enables efficient heat recovery and heat pump applications, potentially offsetting more than 35 MMBtu per hour—equivalent to the heating demand of approximately 350 single-family homes per hour—while lowering emissions and reducing energy costs.
According to the company, the YK-HT helps eliminate cooling-tower water use when paired with dry coolers. For example, a typical 2,000-ton chiller in Las Vegas can use 8 to 9 million gallons (30–34 million liters) of cooling-tower water annually. The YK-HT’s design also reduces the number of required dry coolers by up to 60% and lowers noise levels by as much as 20 dBA, benefiting large-scale data centers and facilities with noise or water constraints.
In addition to heat-rejection performance, the YK-HT can simultaneously produce 44°F (7°C) chilled water and 140°F (60°C) hot water, eliminating the need for cascaded systems or extensive retrofits. The unit uses a single driveline with 50% fewer rotating components, reducing maintenance complexity and footprint by nearly 30%. It supports low-GWP refrigerants R-1234ze and R-515B and includes advanced features such as Smart Ready connectivity, dual variable geometry diffuser control, and compatibility with battery energy storage systems (BESS).
At the event, Johnson Controls will also debut other thermal management technologies designed to address water, energy, and space constraints. The YORK YVAM air-cooled magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller will be on display, offering equivalent cooling capacity with 40% lower annual power use, zero on-site water consumption, and low-noise operation.
The company will showcase its Metasys building management system, now in version 15.0, supporting up to 1,000 IP devices per server and 50,000 objects. When paired with the OpenBlue platform, Metasys enables predictive analytics, automation, and emissions tracking for campus-scale or multi-site operations.
Additional solutions will include custom and semi-custom YORK Air Handling Units with patented sound-reduction and redundant fan systems, as well as the PENN System 550 with A2L refrigerant leak detection and adaptive defrost, designed to reduce energy consumption by 10% or more annually.
“The YK‑HT expands what is possible by enabling high‑temperature operation in a compact and efficient platform,” said Aaron Lewis, vice president and general manager, Applied Equipment, Johnson Controls. “With its expanded operating range, mission‑critical facilities can scale with confidence while advancing sustainability, performance and long‑term operating efficiency.”
