Sponsored by REFRIGERANTS
The green future of air con
Tony Nielsen, pre-sales manager at Panasonic Heating & Cooling looks at the development of R32 and explains why air conditioning contractors should consider adoption.
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recent report from energy consultancy Ecofys stated that if energy efficiency improvements continue on a ‘Business- As-Usual’ path, there will be a 30% gap between the European Commission’s target for the level of energy consumption in 2030 and the actual consumption. The report concludes that energy efficiency improvements must be accelerated if this gap is to be closed and the European Commission’s target for energy consumption is to be met.
The Commission itself recognised this when it recast the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) in November 2016 to introduce a range of measures to encourage member states to accelerate the pace of energy efficiency improvements.
In the UK, the Climate Change Act (2008) commits the UK to an even greater 57% cut in emissions by 2032 and a massive 80% reduction by 2050; based on 1990 levels. The government plans to shift the UK’s power generation to renewable sources in an effort to meet these targets. However, this strategy in isolation will not achieve the necessary carbon emissions reduction. The government also aims to accelerate the reduction of the UK’s emissions by improving the energy efficiency of new and existing building stock. With a rapid increase in urbanisation projected over the next 25 years and a corresponding increase in the volume of building stock, it is more important than ever that those who design and install building systems are proactive and forward-looking with their approach to technology and how it can save energy.
The air conditioning sector fully supports the development of energy efficient systems and is eager to implement and accelerate change. On the 01 January 2015, the updated EU F-Gas Regulation came into force to direct the market towards the use of lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternatives. The use
of lower GWP refrigerants will make a significant contribution to lower greenhouse gas emissions and helping the UK meeting its ambitious energy reduction targets. R32 is the next stage in this evolution, ushering in a new era of more eco- friendly air conditioning technology that can enable air conditioning contractors to design and install heating and cooling systems that contribute less to global warming.
R32 is difluoromethane (methylene fluoride), an HFC refrigerant. For many years it has been used as a component part of the R407C and R410A refrigerant blends. However, R32 offers a number of beneficial advantages over blended refrigerants when used in isolation. Firstly, when compared with R410A, R32 can increase the efficiency of an air conditioning system by up to 10%, resulting in a substantial reduction in energy consumption and running costs for property operators and owners. This reduction can make a big contribution to organisations meeting their sustainability targets. In addition to this, products operating with R32 are not only more efficient and cost effective, they can also deliver much better performance levels, even at extreme outdoor temperatures. Many organisations, large and small, have sustainability policies that require them to reduce the impact of business activities on the environment. With R32-enabled cooling solutions, air conditioning contractors have the opportunity to offer their clients a solution that complies with legislation – both present and upcoming – and also reduces their costs. R32 offers a number of advantages over other refrigerants in meeting these sustainablity commitments. It has a much lower impact on global warming compared to its blended predecessors.
Its GWP – the relative measure used to calculate how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere – when compared to a similar mass of CO2
lower than the GWP of R410A, which is 2088. Air conditioning contractors that select an air conditioning solution using R32 can be confident that their chosen system will have minimal impact on global warming and the environment. Products that embrace R32 will inherit futureproof proficiencies when considering future legislation and the anticipated reduction in the availability of environmentally harmful refrigerants.
Another environmental benefit of R32 is that it is easier to break down the gas and recycle because it is a single gas refrigerant and not a blend. Refrigerant blends like R410A are harder to recycle due to the need to separate the different components. As organisations of all sizes become more and more enthusiastic to demonstrate their commitment to an environmentally friendly way of doing business, contractors may find that offering low energy cooling systems adds real value to their business proposition. As part of the R410A blend, R32 has been used throughout the industry for years. There have been concerns raised surrounding the fact that R32 is mildly flammable when compared to a blended refrigerant. In reality, R32 offers a very small risk when safe handling practices are observed, so contractors can be confident that cooling solutions using R32 will provide a safe, efficient and effective service. In fact, R32 is less flammable than R290 (propane); a gas that is used in commercial refrigeration applications and more commonly, the gas fuelled BBQ. We are constantly reminded of the negative impact of human activities on the climate, from the changing weather patterns to rising sea levels.
, is 675. This is significantly
Air conditioning contractors should not underestimate their role in achieving this sustainable future and must be at the forefront of driving adoption of R32, alongside other eco- friendly technologies, to reduce the impact of our buildings on the climate.
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