From Cold Climates to Desert Heat: Putting HVAC Technology to the Test

Key Points

• UL Solutions officially opened an expanded facility in Plano, Texas, offering additional testing capacity for HVAC and data center cooling equipment.
• New test chambers recreate real-world climate conditions.
• UL Solutions' services support energy efficiency, the use of lower-impact refrigerants and certification to applicable standards.

As demand grows for advanced heating, cooling and refrigeration product testing, UL Solutions has expanded its heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) Center of Excellence in Plano, Texas.

The facility brings multiple testing services together in one location and adds capacity for products ranging from heat pumps and air conditioners to cooling systems used in data centers.

The expansion reflects growing demand for testing related to more energy-efficient products, refrigerants with lower climate impacts and technologies that support modern computing infrastructure.

Why did UL Solutions expand its Plano HVACR testing center?

Demand is growing for testing services that support certification and help manufacturers develop and evaluate new heating, cooling and refrigeration products. The expansion increases capacity for testing energy-efficient equipment, next-generation refrigerants and cooling technologies used in data centers.

What is the HVACR Center of Excellence?

It is a facility where manufacturers can access safety, performance, certification, and research and development testing in one location. The center supports manufacturers seeking to meet applicable requirements for North American markets and other global markets.

What types of products can be tested at the expanded facility?

The center can test heat pumps, air conditioners, chillers, variable refrigerant flow systems and coolant distribution units used in data centers. These capabilities help manufacturers develop more energy-efficient products and support the growth of computing infrastructure.

How could the facility's new capabilities help manufacturers?

The facility includes new test chambers that can recreate a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels, from cold-weather conditions to desert climates. This allows UL Solutions to replicate real-world conditions and evaluate how heating and cooling equipment may perform across different environments.

The chambers can test systems with up to 30 tons of cooling capacity (a measure of cooling power, not weight), allowing UL Solutions to test larger equipment used in commercial buildings and data centers.

Why is data center cooling part of the expansion?

The expansion supports the growth of computing infrastructure by increasing UL Solutions' capacity to test cooling technologies for data centers, including coolant distribution units.

What other services does the Plano facility offer?

The center can measure energy use, test product controls and evaluate how equipment performs under changing operating conditions. UL Solutions offers services to help determine whether products meet industry requirements and to support certification to international standards.

How does the Plano facility fit into UL Solutions' broader strategy?

The Plano expansion advances UL Solutions' strategy to increase its testing, inspection and certification capabilities in high-demand markets. The center is part of the company's global HVACR testing network, which also includes a laboratory in Carugate, Italy, that was expanded in 2025.

Where can I learn more?

Additional information about the Plano facility is available in the Oct. 12 press release.

More details about UL Solutions' services are available on the HVACR Center of Excellence guide pageat UL.com.

Photo caption, from left: Dustin Steward, director, Appliances, HVAC and Lighting (AHL), UL Solutions; Faisal Khan, senior director and general manager, AHL, UL Solutions; Jeff Stanek, senior vice president and general manager, U.S. Air, Rheem; Alessio Dellanoce, vice president and general manager, UL Solutions; Josh Warren, vice president and general manager, AHL and Retail and Consumer Products, UL Solutions; Alex Dadakis, executive vice president and president of Testing, Inspection and Certification, UL Solutions; Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO, UL Solutions; Upayan SenGupta, senior vice president, Testing, Inspection and Certification, Consumer, UL Solutions; John B. Muns, mayor, Plano; Janie Havel, Office of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott; Michael Talley, director of economic development, Plano; Steve Lavine, Plano City Council; Mark Israelson, city manager, Plano; and Bob Kehr, Plano City Council.