Abstract

Heating and cooling play a major role in the energy and climate change impact of countries. For example, in EU heating and cooling represents around half of the EU energy consumption. More than two thirds of heating and cooling (84%) is still generated from fossil fuels; only around 16% is generated from renewable energy. If all presently used R-410A refrigerant is replaced by R-32, the total CO2 equivalent impact of HFCs could be reduced by up to 24% in 2030, compared to business as usual scenarios, along with a significantly reduced amount of indirect CO2 emissions due to lower energy consumption.

Design Factors Affecting System Efficiency

There are various factors that determine the energy efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump system, such as the chemical properties of the refrigerant, its charge volume, the pressure loss in the refrigerant tubing, the performance of compressor and heat exchangers.

System dimensions

Due to its excellent energy performance characteristics, R32 allows for reduced refrigerant charge and system dimensions while maintaining or increasing energy efficiency. As a result, various options can be offered to consumers, focusing on higher efficiencies and similar system dimensions or opting for similar efficiencies and smaller system dimensions. The resource efficiency will increase in any case due to less use of raw material. In combination with the lower GWP of R32 compared to R410A the potential global warming impact (charge volume x GWP) can be up to 75% less than that of R410A.

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Panels of

1. Policies and programmes

2. Sustainable production design and supply chain initiatives

3. Energy management: the nuts and bolts

4. Technology, products and systems

5. Business models and financing: established practice and innovative approaches