International. Emerson has released a statement on the future of refrigerants for air conditioning and heat pump applications.
The HVAC industry is at a pivotal moment with upcoming efficiency regulations in the U.S., along with preparations for the transition to lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. Manufacturers are in the midst of product redesigns while evaluating their best low-GWP options. Amid the uncertainty with the Kigali Amendment, which has yet to be ratified, and the unoccupied SNAP rule, Emerson said it is working to develop solutions that are optimized for both new efficiency standards and anticipated refrigerant regulations in the U.S.
Driven by Kigali and European fluorinated gas regulations, the transition to next-generation GWP refrigerants is well advanced in Europe and Asia. Emerson has been working closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), chemical companies and global industry technical groups to determine the best low GWP refrigerant options for various air conditioning and heat pump applications around the world. Emerson says there are many factors to consider when determining the most appropriate low GWP alternative; key criteria such as refrigerant safety class designation, compressor and equipment performance and reliability, total system cost, and net environmental impact, also known as Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP).
R-32 has been the leading low GWP refrigerant choice for many applications in Europe and Asia. Based on R-32 compressor testing and market analysis along with general customer feedback, Emerson believes that, in most applications, R-32 (safety class A2L, GWP 675) is an acceptable alternative to R-410A for lower GWP needs. As such, Emerson has initiated global new product development efforts for an industry compressor portfolio optimized for use with R-32.
Other low GWP candidates, such as R-454B (Safety Class A2L, GWP 466), R-452B (Safety Class A2L, GWP 698) and Honeywell's new N41 refrigerant R466A (Safety Class A1, Approximate GWP 733) among others, continue to be evaluated as they may also be acceptable alternatives. This may vary by region and will likely be governed by the needs of local enforcement and regulations. Emerson explains here that it is committed to supporting the industry and its customers with optimized product solutions as the need for these particular refrigerants becomes clearer.
Currently, the N41 refrigerant with provisional R-466A number is considered the only potentially viable low GWP candidate with a preliminary safety class designation of A1. Although R-466A has potential as an alternative to R-410A, system and component evaluations are still required to demonstrate the reliability, compatibility and overall economy of the system.
The company ensures that the timing of the transition to refrigerants with low GWP globally will be different in each region depending on international agreements on the gradual reduction of older refrigerants, regional regulatory activity (including the area of standards and safety codes), as well as the unique needs of air conditioning equipment in each region.
Along with less gwp equipment development, the U.S. has two key efficiency regulations on the horizon; new minimums set by the Department of Energy (DOE) for both SEER-rated and IEER-rated equipment.
Emerson is actively working to ensure that approved low GWP compressors are available to support these improved efficiency standards. Equipment and component redesigns require significant advanced planning and development, which is already underway for Emerson by January 1, 2023, the DOE's effective date. At that point, the minimum efficiency rating for SEER-rated equipment will increase by approximately seven percent, depending on the region and type of equipment. For commercial division and rooftop equipment, the minimum efficiency rating for IEER-rated equipment will increase by approximately 15 percent.
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