ACR Journal

The RAC Engineer’s Guide to Low GWP Refrigerants 24 It’s no secret that R32 has been championed as an A2L alternative for use in air conditioning split systems. R32 is widely available on the market in a variety of cylinder sizes and from a practical perspective is a good replacement for R410A – a high GWP gas which, like other high GWP products, is under pressure as the quota system takes effect. Manufacturers already supply equipment which is R32 ready and the message is reaching engineers and end users that this single component gas with a GWP of 675 is a winner – especially when you consider that the commonly used R410A has a GWP of more than 2000. We have seen over the years that there is no guarantee that any refrigerant is future proof but it is a good bet that R32 will be a preferred option in air conditioning systems for many years to come. The sooner the industry gets used to using R32 the better positioned it will be to adopt A2Ls when they become mainstream throughout refrigeration. R32 and Beyond A-Gas Managing Director John Ormerod with a guide to working safely with this mildly flammable and other A2L refrigerants. Excellent alternatives The availability of virgin HFC refrigerants is something to keep an eye on over the coming years. The quota phase down will continue to have an impact on our industry’s supply chain and users are encouraged to move to refrigerants with a low GWP, many of which are mildly flammable. At A-Gas we believe that the popularity of these mildly flammable refrigerants will grow as the F-Gas phase downs continue. The fact that R32 has already become a preferred choice in air conditioning split systems has shown that A2Ls can be a success and the industry is ready to adopt change. In addition to the lower GWP when compared to traditional HFCs such as R404A, A2Ls are excellent alternatives due to the lower charge sizes, smaller line sizes and potential cut in running costs. It is clear to see that A2Ls are workable alternatives on the road to a kinder, more environmentally-friendly future for our industry. A2Ls, or mildly flammables, are beginning to make a real impact on the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.