MILWAUKEE, Nov. 2, 2026 – Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency and decarbonization, today launched the FRICK HeatPAC Reciprocating Ammonia Heat Pump, for food and beverage processing facilities. The system helps customers transform wasted thermal energy into a productive resource that can lower operating costs, increase facility efficiency and support decarbonization goals.
HeatPAC recovers waste heat from ammonia refrigeration systems and transforms it into high-temperature hot water for processes like pasteurization, sanitation and space heating. For typical food and beverage applications, HeatPAC can be up to seven times more energy efficient than a natural gas boiler, based on Johnson Controls internal modeling. Its standardized, factory-assembled design also reduces upfront investment and can shorten lead times by weeks compared with engineered-to-order industrial heat pumps.
Food and beverage manufacturers often use energy to remove heat from one part of an operation while generating heat elsewhere. HeatPAC connects these needs, helping customers recover more value from existing infrastructure and reduce reliance on additional energy inputs without disrupting critical production processes.
“As energy costs continue to rise, waste heat is becoming an increasingly valuable and often untapped resource for food and beverage producers,” said Micah Lehman, product manager at Johnson Controls. “HeatPAC applies Johnson Controls deep thermal management expertise to help customers put energy they have already generated back to work. By combining advanced equipment, controls and performance modeling, we can help customers improve efficiency, lower costs and strengthen the competitiveness of their operations.”
Increased energy efficiency and performance
Pre-engineered and fully packaged, HeatPAC units have a standardized, streamlined design that reduces complexity associated with engineered-to-order heat pump systems. The approach can lower upfront investment and shorten lead times by weeks.
HeatPAC is the first FRICK product engineered around a Mark 5 Sabroe reciprocating compressor platform and has a heating capacity range of 200 to 2000 kilowatts while providing hot water temperatures ranging from 130° F to 190° F.
The factory-assembled, pre-tested packaged units include:
- A fully welded plate-and-shell condenserwithan integrated desuperheater to achieve higher water temperatures in a smaller footprint.
- High efficiency, two-stage oil separation technology designed to maximize heat exchanger performance over the long term and help extend equipment life.
- A crankcase ventilation systemthat helps protect equipment from damagecaused by liquid slugging.
- A standard 4:1 turndown variable frequency drive that provides part-load efficiency allowing for varied use depending on facility needs without compromising performance.
- An ammonia charge as low as 87 pounds.
Streamlined equipment management
HeatPAC brings together thermal equipment and connected controls to help customers manage system performance as operating requirements change. Each unit is equipped with a FRICK Quantum HD controller with Unity architecture, which integrates with a wide variety of plant control systems. Each 15-inch-high contrast touchscreen control panel is configured for each application and can be integrated with other refrigeration equipment throughout the facility, providing coordinated operation and convenient remote access.
Calculated ROI before purchase
Johnson Controls pairs its thermal technology with performance modeling designed to help customers make informed investment decisions. Johnson Controls FRICK Coolware selection software helps customers select industrial refrigeration equipment and estimate potential performance.
Users can enter application parameters to receive an estimate of approximately how much waste heat will be required, what the efficiency level will be and how much heat will be received. Coolware can also provide the performance ratings needed to estimate operating costs of a new heat pump. That detail can enable customers to compare their current costs with existing equipment, typically a natural gas boiler, to better understand potential energy savings and payoff timelines.
For example, in a modeled case of a cheese producer requiring 2,000 kW of 140° F hot water, the HeatPACheat pump is projected to reduce annual energy costs by up to 40% compared with natural gas boilers, based on the energy-price and operating assumptions entered into the software.
Combined with Johnson Controls’ industrial refrigeration expertise and lifecycle capabilities, HeatPAC provides customers with a more integrated approach to identifying, implementing and optimizing waste-heat recovery opportunities.
To learn more, visit frickcold.com/products-and-solutions/heat-pumps.