DAIKIN has welcomed the Kigali Agreement, which has seen nearly 200 countries commit to phasing-down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), gases typically found in HVAC-R systems.
The deal is expected to prevent up to 0.5°C in global warming, by reducing the allowable consumption of HFCs from 2019. It supports DAIKIN’s ‘sooner the better’ approach to development, which is seeing the manufacturer act now to help combat climate change by adopting lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants in its air conditioning, heat pump and refrigeration systems as soon as possible.
In Europe, the F-gas Regulation introduced in 2015 imposed strict controls on the use of high GWP refrigerants. In anticipation of this legislation, DAIKIN developed new Split and Sky Air systems using R32 refrigerant, which were launched last year.
With a GWP a third that of the commonly-used R410A, R32 is more energy efficient (so a lower refrigerant charge is needed) and is easier to reuse and recycle. It results in smaller products, with GWP up to 75% lower than R410A systems.
There is no ideal, one-size-fits-all, refrigerant, however. DAIKIN’s ‘diversity of refrigerants’ policy commits it to seeking out, and introducing as soon as possible, the optimal refrigerant for every application. For example, it continues to use R410A in its ZEAS and Conveni-pack refrigeration ranges because its GWP is just half that of the R404A refrigerant typically used in these systems.
The phase-down of HFCs is a challenge for the entire HVAC-R industry. DAIKIN is committed to working with governments, business partners and stakeholders to develop innovative air conditioning, heat pump and refrigeration solutions that meet customers’ needs, while helping to mitigate the effects of global climate change.
Read more about DAIKIN’s view on the future of refrigerants at http://www.daikin.com/csr/information/influence/Daikin's_Policy.pdf