Carrier Transicold has begun offering North America’s refrigerated hauliers the lower GWP refrigerant R452A as an option for R404A in new and existing equipment. Starting in the first quarter of next year, purchasers in North America will be able to specify R452A on all Carrier Transicold trailer and diesel truck equipment orders.
The refrigerant, which has been available to Carrier Transicold customers in Europe since 2015, still has a relatively high GWP of 2140, but that is an improvement on R404A which has a GWP of 3922. It also offers the benefit of being able to be retrofitted to existing equipment.
Bill Maddox, Senior Manager, Carrier Transicold Product Management, said: “We are offering it for fleets that want to improve their environmental profiles and to prepare for compliance with evolving regulations.” The California Air Resource Board (CARB) has proposed prohibiting high GWP refrigerants on new transport refrigeration equipment starting in, 2022. Additionally, Canada has banned high GWP refrigerants for new transport refrigeration starting, in 2025.
Carrier Transicold units already in service can easily take advantage of R452A, the company says. For Carrier units with an electronic expansion valve, converting requires only an operating software update. On Carrier Transicold truck units and older trailer units that use a mechanical expansion valve, the valve will require a manual adjustment or replacement, depending on the model.
Maddox admitted that refrigerant cost may be a factor for some fleets as R452A is currently three to four times more expensive than R404A.
Maddox said: “Still, hauliers should start to consider when transitioning to a lower GWP refrigerant will make the most sense for their fleets. While the EPA permits continued use of R404A, the proposed 2022 California changes may ultimately drive the use of R452A as a de facto national standard, due to the large volume of refrigerated traffic that moves into that state.”
