Johnson Controls Launches Refrigerant Detection System Calculator for Mobile Devices

MILWAUKEE —
Johnson Controls Residential & Light Commercial announced the launch of its Refrigerant Detection System (RDS) Calculator within the Ducted Systems Solutions (DS Solutions) mobile app. A first for the residential and light commercial HVAC industry, this innovative calculator is designed to help users determine the need for refrigerant detection systems based on specific conditions such as space dimensions and the amount of refrigerant being used.  

This calculator is part of Johnson Controls’ broader initiative to transition to more environmentally sustainable refrigerants, like R-454B, which has a lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to traditional refrigerants. The calculator is also designed to assist contractors and distributors with simple step-by-step installation instructions if they determine a RDS is needed. 

“The transition to low-GWP refrigerants has been complex, as building codes that reference safety standards vary from state-to-state,” said Chris Forth, vice president of regulatory, codes and environmental affairs, Johnson Controls. “Our goal is to make the transition as seamless and confusion-free as possible for contractors and distributors so they can focus less on calculations and conversions, and more on providing efficient, safe and compliant installations. Our user-friendly calculator gives straightforward recommendations in just a few, simple steps.” 

Available within the company’s DS Solutions App and product selection tools, the patent-pending RDS Calculator prompts users to answer a few questions about the job, such as refrigerant volume, supply air discharge height, total area being conditioned and potential zone impact. Once submitted, the calculator provides an immediate report summary and indicates if an RDS is recommended to ensure the application is compliant with current standards (UL/CSA-60335-2-40, 1). The report will also flag additional mitigation details, including whether additional exhaust air is required in the conditioned space, and provides a rationale report so contractors can easily act on the results.

A year of research went into the development of the RDS Calculator, including close collaboration with safety agencies to confirm compliance with current standards. The calculator is being launched alongside the shipment of the company’s newly updated A2L portfolio of residential and light commercial ducted HVAC products. 

To comply with safety standards and ensure customer safety, new R-454B equipment can be equipped with a factory-installed refrigerant detection system engineered to detect refrigerant concentrations as determined by the safety standards and building code requirements. If a leak is detected, the RDS activates an alarm sequence and automatically shuts down equipment compressors, de-energizes attached ignition sources and activates airflow circulation to prevent the refrigerant from reaching its lower flammability limit. 

Launched in 2022, the no-cost DS Solutions App provides contractors with instant access to commercial and residential equipment information such as installation guides, parts list, start-up sheets, warranty information and training videos to help streamline installation, troubleshooting and maintenance processes. This digital resource was designed to help enhance contractor efficiency by reducing the need for physical manuals and paper assets that can be time-consuming to navigate and sort through while on the job site.