A2L Refrigeration System Design

Custom Low-GWP Refrigeration Engineering for Industrial Facilities

Discovery Designs Refrigeration designs, engineers and installs custom A2L refrigeration systems for industrial facilities seeking efficient cooling with lower-global-warming-potential refrigerant options. Our refrigeration specialists evaluate system capacity, operating temperatures, facility layout, refrigerant requirements, safety considerations and applicable codes before developing a solution around your operation. From new facilities to refrigeration system upgrades, we provide full-service A2L refrigeration design backed by decades of industrial refrigeration experience.

A2L Refrigeration Specialists: Certifications & Associations

A2L refrigerants require careful system design due to their lower-flammability classification. Discovery Designs combines industrial refrigeration experience with active involvement in leading refrigeration organizations to stay current with evolving refrigerant technology, safety practices and design standards. Our team is affiliated with IIAR, RETA, ASHRAE, IARW and RSES. We engineer each project around applicable refrigeration codes, equipment requirements and facility-specific operating conditions.

Custom A2L Refrigeration System Design

Every refrigeration project has different temperature loads, equipment needs, space constraints and operating goals. Discovery Designs develops custom A2L refrigeration systems around the needs of your facility rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all configuration. Our design team considers refrigerant selection, equipment sizing, piping layouts, controls, ventilation, leak detection, system charge and other project requirements. We can coordinate the complete refrigeration design from early planning and engineering through fabrication, installation and commissioning.

Industrial A2L Refrigeration System Installation

Discovery Designs provides professional A2L refrigeration installation for new systems, facility expansions and qualifying refrigeration upgrades. Our field crews coordinate with engineers, facility managers, general contractors and other project partners to bring the completed refrigeration design into operation. A2L systems require equipment and installation practices appropriate for the selected refrigerant's safety classification. We account for applicable system requirements throughout equipment selection, construction and startup.

A2L Refrigeration for New Construction

New construction allows owners, engineers and contractors to plan the refrigeration system around current refrigerant options from the beginning. Discovery Designs can integrate an A2L refrigeration design with the facility layout, utility requirements, equipment locations, piping and controls during the planning stages. Early coordination can simplify equipment placement and accommodate refrigerant-specific safety features before construction progresses. Our team works alongside project stakeholders to develop an efficient refrigeration system suited to the building and its intended operation.

Benefits of A2L Refrigeration Systems

A2L refrigerants have become an important option as commercial and industrial refrigeration applications transition away from higher-GWP HFCs. EPA restrictions now establish GWP limits for numerous refrigeration sectors and subsectors, with requirements varying by application, system size and operating temperature. Depending on the refrigerant and application, an A2L refrigeration system can offer:

Lower-GWP Refrigerant Options: Many A2L refrigerants provide substantially lower global warming potential than legacy HFC choices.
Modern System Compatibility: A2L options are available for a growing range of refrigeration and cooling equipment.
Efficient System Designs: Proper refrigerant selection and engineering can deliver dependable temperature control while meeting facility performance requirements.
Long-Term Refrigerant Planning: A2L technology gives facility owners another option as federal HFC restrictions continue to reshape refrigerant selection.
Application Flexibility: Different A2L refrigerants can serve different temperature ranges, capacities and equipment configurations.
Custom Engineering Opportunities: A purpose-built system can account for charge size, ventilation, leak detection, controls and facility-specific safety requirements.

What Are A2L Refrigerants?

A2L refers to a refrigerant safety classification established under ASHRAE Standard 34. The “A” identifies lower toxicity, while “2L” identifies lower flammability with a maximum burning velocity of 10 centimeters per second under prescribed test conditions. A2L refrigerants sit between A1 refrigerants, which do not propagate flame under ASHRAE testing conditions, and refrigerants with higher flammability classifications. Their properties require system designers and installers to account for applicable safety provisions while providing access to a wider range of lower-GWP refrigerant choices.

Important characteristics of A2L refrigeration include:

Lower toxicity classification
Lower flammability
Low burning velocity
Refrigerant-specific GWP values
Application-specific charge limits and safety requirements
Specialized equipment and system design considerations

A2L vs. CO₂ and Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

A2L, CO₂ and ammonia refrigeration systems can all play roles in modern industrial refrigeration, but each option has different physical properties, safety classifications and design requirements.

A2L refrigerants are a family of refrigerants sharing a lower-toxicity, lower-flammability ASHRAE classification. Available refrigerants span multiple applications and GWP levels.
CO₂ (R-744) carries an A1 safety classification, meaning lower toxicity with no flame propagation under ASHRAE classification testing. CO₂ refrigeration operates at significantly different pressures and requires equipment engineered specifically for its thermodynamic properties.
Ammonia (R-717) is classified as B2L, combining higher toxicity classification with lower flammability and low burning velocity. It remains widely used for large industrial refrigeration applications due to its thermodynamic performance and zero GWP.

The best refrigerant choice depends on your facility, refrigeration load, operating temperature, system size, available space, regulatory requirements and long-term operating priorities. Discovery Designs evaluates the complete application before recommending a refrigeration system.

Why Choose Discovery Designs for A2L Refrigeration Design?

Industrial refrigeration is our specialty. Discovery Designs brings more than 20 years of experience designing, fabricating, installing and servicing complex refrigeration systems for cold storage, food processing, manufacturing and other industrial applications. Our full-service capabilities allow one experienced refrigeration team to guide your project from early system planning through final installation and commissioning. Work with Discovery Designs for:

In-house refrigeration engineering and design
Custom systems built around your facility
Experienced industrial refrigeration contractors
System fabrication and prefabrication capabilities
Professional refrigeration installation
Facility-specific equipment layouts and controls
New construction and system upgrade experience
Ongoing refrigeration service and preventative maintenance
Experience with A2L, CO₂ and ammonia refrigeration technologies

We evaluate efficiency, capacity, refrigerant properties, facility conditions and long-term operating needs before developing your system.

Nationwide A2L Refrigeration Design & Installation

Discovery Designs Refrigeration provides industrial refrigeration engineering and installation from our headquarters in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. We work with businesses throughout the Midwest and across the United States on custom refrigeration projects, including clients in:

Planning a new facility, refrigeration expansion or transition to a lower-GWP refrigerant? Contact Discovery Designs Refrigeration to discuss your cooling requirements and determine whether an A2L refrigeration system fits your project.