A chiller for all seasons
27th July 2026
UK: Carrier has delivered a high-efficiency R515B chiller upgrade at the Four Seasons Hotel in Park Lane, London, overcoming major access constraints and maintaining continuous cooling throughout the project.
The contract involved the replacement of two ageing Carrier 30HX375 R134a chillers, originally installed in 2009, with two AquaForce 30XWV-ZE 1301A water-cooled chillers.
Delivered in partnership with East West Connect Ltd, the project required a specialist engineering approach due to the location of the plantroom within a restricted-access basement. With no viable route for full plant delivery, Carrier implemented a strip-down and rebuild strategy, dismantling the chillers off-site before transporting them in sections for reassembly on location.
At the same time, the hotel required uninterrupted cooling, placing additional pressure on programme delivery. The works were carried out in two phases, ensuring one chiller remained operational to avoid any disruption to guests or service.
Each chiller Carrier features variable speed compressors and R515B, an A1 non-flammable alternative to the standard R1234ze refrigerant option, with a GWP of around 293.
“In a live hospitality environment, safety and continuity are critical,” said Graham Smith, Carrier’s applied commercial director at Carrier. “By combining inverter-driven technology with a non-flammable refrigerant option and a flexible installation approach, we were able to deliver a solution that met the client’s operational and environmental priorities without compromise.”
During installation, a clash between one of the inverter drives and existing structural steelwork was identified through digital modelling. Carrier’s engineering team adapted the system design in real time, relocating the inverter within the plantroom to ensure a successful fit without compromising performance.
The full project was completed in six weeks, with both chillers installed and commissioned while maintaining uninterrupted cooling throughout the premises.
