Daikin, the global leader in heat pump and VRV technology, has rolled out its new VRV range with R-744 refrigerant (CO2) for the European market. After sharing its vision for implementing the EU HFC phase-down, Daikin now shares more details on its strategic vision for the Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) market.
Diverse refrigerants to support the transition to a net zero-carbon future
Commenting on their strategic vision, Bernard Dehertogh, Deputy General Manager DX at Daikin Europe N.V., said, “Decarbonising the building sector requires flexible refrigerant options due to varying application challenges. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Daikin’s strategy is to select the best refrigerant for each application, balancing four key factors: safety, energy efficiency, environmental impact, and cost over the entire life cycle of a product. The introduction of our first CO2 VRV unit, in addition to our VRV R32 range, reaffirms our commitment to the decarbonisation of commercial buildings.”
CO2 VRV, a solution with very low global warming potential
Using refrigerant R-744 (CO2) comes with different advantages:
- CO2, is a so-called natural refrigerant, classified as non-flammable (A1) according to ISO817, and with a GWP value of 1, it has a very low Global Warming Potential.
- CO2 VRV inherits all the typical VRV benefits: it is quick and easy to design and install and contains precise climate zone control options with quick response time. Bringing the Eurovent certified CO2 VRV along with the flagship Round Flow cassette to market, signifies a major milestone in the transition towards the future VRV/VRF market in Europe.
Focusing on their innovation, George Dimou, VRV Product Manager at Daikin Europe N.V., said, “Adding CO2 to our broad portfolio of VRV solutions, this innovation diversifies the choices on the market and lays the foundation for further developments. It is tailored for targeted decarbonisation initiatives such as supermarkets and retail establishments, focusing on heating and cooling systems that necessitate the use of natural refrigerants.”
The units will be available from April 2025. Daikin’s CO2 VRV will be presented at ISH25 from 17 to 21 March 2025, at Messe Frankfurt, Germany.
VRV – a proven low carbon technology
Describing their perspective, Dimou said, “We are committed to developing VRV systems that offer the flexibility of choice for any type of commercial building, keeping a clear focus on energy efficiency, GWP, legislation and building trends. This CO2 VRV innovation is a next step towards offering solutions with a lower climate impact over their entire lifetime. Starting today, we will educate and train our network to support the adoption of this new technology as part of our full range of solutions. We aim to enable stakeholders to gain knowledge and develop expertise in future-proof solutions.”
