5 Reasons to Partner with the Copper Development Association for Research and Development to Develop the Next Generation of Heat Exchangers

HVAC/R OEMs across industries seek research and development partners who understand the technical details and can help bring ideas to life efficiently and effectively. 

With decades of experience and a proven track record, the Copper Development Association (CDA) offers unmatched expertise, resources, and collaboration to help companies stay ahead of the curve. Here are five reasons why partnering with CDA for research and development can give your organization a competitive edge.

1. Industry Expertise

For over 60 years, the Copper Development Association has been a reliable resource for promoting the use of copper across various industries. Today, its expertise is particularly valuable in developing small-diameter copper tube heat exchangers, where performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are crucial. 
Partnering with the CDA combines material science, manufacturing, and practical application, allowing manufacturers to design systems that reduce refrigerant charge, enhance heat transfer, and meet evolving efficiency standards. Ensuring that copper continues to be a proven solution for next-generation systems.

2. Access to Cutting-Edge Resources 

The Copper Development Association has established valuable partnerships with leading research and development organizations to accelerate innovation in copper applications. Collaborations with research and development organizations such as Optimized Thermal Systems (OTS) and Heat Transfer Technologies (HTT), and major manufacturers like Whirlpool and GE Appliances have advanced the design and validation of small-diameter copper tube heat exchangers. 

These partnerships combine state-of-the-art simulation, prototyping, and independent testing to ensure that new copper technologies are efficient, cost-effective, and ready for real-world application. Collaborating with CDA helps turn innovative concepts into proven, market-ready solutions by connecting material expertise with industry and research leaders.

These valuable partnerships allow manufacturers to experience faster prototyping, validation, and scaling solutions.

3. Collaborative Approach

CDA facilitates partnerships with trusted R&D firms to develop customized solutions that meet partner objectives, from initial research to commercialization, while thoroughly assessing the performance of small-diameter copper tubes in heat exchanger applications.

For example, these recent case studies demonstrate how a partnership with CDA can be leveraged into validated data for the next-generation product development or improved design:

GE Appliances: PTAC Redesign
In collaboration with CDA and Optimized Thermal Systems, GE Appliances redesigned packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) coils using small-diameter copper tubes. The optimized coils achieved up to 47% material-cost savings, 15% lower airside pressure drop, and nearly 60% less internal refrigerant volume than conventional designs—all while maintaining required capacity and efficiency. Read more: blog.copper.org

AprilAire: High-Efficiency Dehumidifier
CDA partnered with AprilAire and OTS to evaluate dehumidifier coils with 5 mm copper tubes. The best-performing design improved dehumidification rate and efficiency by 5%, reduced coil material mass by 15%, and cut refrigerant charge by more than 60%. The study also demonstrated strong manufacturability and faster thermal response, supporting higher system performance in real-world operation.  Read more

Whirlpool: Improving Heat Pump System Performance through Small-Diameter Copper Tube and Design Optimization: Whirlpool, OTS, and CDA collaborated on optimizing evaporator and condenser design, shifting from 8 mm aluminum to 5 mm copper tubes. The analysis of the evaporator designs revealed a set of Pareto optimal designs with the most preferred options outperforming the baseline coil in terms of weight reduction, air-side pressure drop, internal volume (refrigerant charge reduction), and latent load. Read more

4. Focus on Innovation and Efficiency

Leveraging small-diameter copper tube technology and advanced heat exchanger design enables manufacturers to reduce refrigerant charge, cut material use, and improve system performance without sacrificing reliability. 

Case studies, such as the AprilAire and GE studies mentioned above, have shown that small-diameter copper tubes can reduce coil footprint by more than 50% while maintaining or improving capacity. These efficiency gains lower costs and position products to meet increasingly strict energy and environmental regulations while setting new benchmarks for performance. 

As a result, CDA partners achieve compliance and establish themselves as market leaders in delivering forward-looking, high-efficiency solutions.

5. Results-Oriented

The Copper Development Association has a history of creating meaningful collaborations to achieve measurable results.

The mission of The Copper Development Association is to help advance OEMs copper tube heat transfer projects and achieve innovation goals with precision and efficiency.

CDA understands that every project is unique and requires specialized guidance and expertise. By working with an established partner network, CDA can provide customized support that aligns with specific needs. 

By collaborating with CDA and our expert partners, you gain access to a wealth of resources, state-of-the-art facilities, and a deep understanding of the latest trends and technologies. Together, we can optimize results, mitigate risks, and bring ideas to life.

If you would like to learn more about partnering with CDA, you can contact us for more information here.