Johnson Controls Launches R-454B Equipment Lineup
Officials at Johnson Controls say the company will start delivering R-454B-compatible equipment this quarter, months ahead of the deadline by which most new residential air conditioners and heat pumps must be designed to use that or another lower-GWP refrigerant.
Photo courtesy of Johnson Controls
MILWAUKEE — Johnson Controls has launched a brand-new suite of residential HVAC products that have been optimized for use with the low-GWP refrigerant R-454B, with delivery dates expected during this quarter.
“Designing future-ready technologies to meet upcoming standards reflects our overall commitment to driving sustainability while reducing install time and maintenance costs for our customers,” said David Budzinski, president of the global residential and light commercial products division at Johnson Controls, in a press release. “Working together with our customers, partners, and suppliers, we are excited to deliver a planned refresh of our residential and light commercial portfolio, staying ahead of upcoming regulations. We added differentiated features and simplified the overall user experience of our products.”
Johnson Controls has long been a champion of the transition to lower-GWP refrigerants and is one of the first in the market to have launched more than 70% of its lower-GWP product portfolio, preceding the 2025 regulatory shift by more than half a year, the press release said. The launch includes a majority of the company's residential portfolio of heat pumps, air conditioners, air-handling units, and indoor evaporator coils.
“The entire portfolio has been redesigned with a new modern color scheme and enhanced features that address increased efficiency, improved serviceability, and installation, with a significant focus on increased ratings for customers incentivized by federal rebates and tax credits,” said Sophia Bellos, vice president of product management for residential and light commercial systems.
Among the products launched are Johnson Controls entry-level and mid- and high-efficiency heat pumps, as well as the entry-level and mid-tier air conditioners. These new systems feature the latest technology in refrigerants with a lower GWP, the company said. They have improved features, making them faster to install and service, and smaller form factors for ease of stocking and installation, and they have been designed to ensure qualified tax credit and rebate ratings across multiple use applications, the company said.
The newly launched air-handler portfolio features higher-efficiency motors for improved energy savings and comfort, similar to the Johnson Controls coil portfolio, the company said. A refrigerant leak-detection sensor is now available in a multi-position form factor that allows dealers to conserve inventory space by stocking one model.
For stationary air conditioning and heat pumps, a federal government rule calls for most equipment made after this year to use refrigerant with a GWP of no more than 700. The R-454B refrigerant chosen by Johnson Controls for residential and commercial ducted systems equipment has a GWP of 466, well below the maximum allowed and a reduction of nearly 80% from the GWP of conventional refrigerants.
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