As data centers grow taller and more compact, high-density AI cooling has emerged as a central challenge for operators. Against this backdrop, Johnson Controls has launched the YORK YDAM air-cooled magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller, expanding its data center cooling portfolio to meet the demands of multistory, space-constrained facilities.
The new chiller builds on the company’s YORK YVAM platform and targets sites facing land shortages and growing thermal loads. As a result, operators can scale cooling capacity without expanding footprints or increasing water use.
Vertical Growth Reshapes Cooling Requirements
In many urban markets, limited land availability continues to push data center development upward. At the same time, AI workloads are driving sharp increases in rack density, with white-space power levels climbing as much as tenfold in some facilities. Consequently, traditional cooling layouts no longer fit shrinking rooflines.
To address this shift, the YORK YDAM delivers 3.5 megawatts of cooling in a compact form factor. Compared with competing systems, it offers up to 20 percent higher capacity density. In addition, the unit fits on a standard 53-foot flatbed trailer, which helps reduce transportation, rigging, and lifting costs. Johnson Controls plans to begin shipments in late 2026.
Fewer Chillers, Faster Deployment
Because each YDAM unit delivers higher output, operators can deploy fewer chillers per site. In some cases, the total number of units could drop by up to 50 percent. This reduction can speed up construction schedules and ease pressure on skilled labor availability.
“AI and high-performance computing are pushing data centers beyond traditional limits,” said Austin Domenici, vice president and general manager of Global Data Center Solutions at Johnson Controls. He added that vertical facilities require cooling systems that deliver high output within minimal space.
Engineered for Modern AI Workloads
The YORK YDAM uses magnetic bearing compressors that support higher chilled-fluid setpoints. This design enables warm-water cooling up to 45°C, aligning with the needs of modern inference and training GPUs.
At the same time, the chiller operates across wider temperature differentials. That capability allows smaller pumps to be used and lowers overall energy consumption, helping operators reduce both capital and operating costs.
Testing, Reliability, and Support
Johnson Controls developed and tested the YDAM at its Advanced Development and Engineering Center. There, engineers evaluated performance under extreme conditions that reflect real-world data center operations.
Once deployed, the chiller will be supported by Johnson Controls’ global service network, including dedicated support teams and rapid access to parts.
Cooling Strategy Aligned With AI Growth
As AI continues to reshape data center design, cooling infrastructure is playing a larger role in site planning and deployment speed. With the YORK YDAM, Johnson Controls is positioning itself to serve dense, vertical AI facilities that demand compact, water-free cooling systems.
Overall, the launch signals how cooling strategies are evolving alongside AI, where efficiency, space optimization, and speed to market increasingly define competitive advantage.
