Johnson Controls' YORK YDAM: compact 3.5MW waterless chiller for high-density multistory data centers

Data-center cooling for vertical builds tightens focus at Johnson Controls

YORK YDAM aims to solve multistory cooling constraints by packing high capacity into a small, transportable package, Johnson Controls says. The company unveils the YORK YDAM, an air-cooled magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller that delivers up to 3.5 megawatts of cooling while consuming no water. Built on the award-winning YORK YVAM platform, the YDAM provides up to 20% greater capacity density than comparable units and fits on a standard 53-foot flatbed trailer to cut transportation, rigging and lifting costs.

The chiller targets high-density, multistory data centers and AI factories where white-space power per rack is rising and roofline and site footprint are constrained. Johnson Controls says the compact footprint lets operators halve the number of chillers required on site and accelerate deployments as white-space density increases by as much as 10×. The unit uses magnetic bearing centrifugal technology to deliver efficient, waterless cooling in a package designed for faster installation and lower onsite labor needs.

Johnson Controls plans to begin shipments in late 2026, pitching the YDAM as a way to reduce capital and operating impediments associated with moving and installing traditional large chillers. Austin Domenici, vice president and general manager of Global Data Center Solutions at Johnson Controls, says the combination of impressive capacity and reduced footprint could materially change how operators design and populate multistory data-center infrastructure.

AI-driven load growth and constrained urban sites amplify demand for compact, high-capacity cooling

Data-center operators are coping with escalating thermal loads driven by artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, which push rack power and white-space density upward. The YDAM is positioned to address those trends by enabling low-footprint, high-throughput cooling where land and roof space are limited, helping operators scale quickly without sacrificing energy efficiency or adding water consumption.

Platform pedigree and sustainability underpin market positioning

Johnson Controls leverages the YORK YVAM platform, recognized by ABI Research and named to Fortune’s Change the World list, to bolster the YDAM’s credentials for efficiency and zero water use. The company frames the new chiller as both a sustainability and project-timeline play, promising modest operating-cost reductions alongside reductions in installation complexity and onsite labor demand.