Any technology evolves based on the emerging demands in the market. Since there are challenges, initiatives are taken to address them. The same thing is applicable in our HVAC-R industry too. At present our industry Is facing multiple challenges, and those are compelling it to pass through a phase of big transformation.
Drives for energy efficiency and sustainability are the two leading factors that are accelerating the transformation. Holding that string, lots of research works are being conducted across the world. Already some of the Research and Development (R&D) works have led to big changes aligned to the causes of energy efficiency and sustainability. Other works are also continuing with full spirit.
Again, under those two primary concerns, there are multiple areas, where betterment is being sought. The way the global warming is increasing, at this point it will not be an exaggeration to say that in a few years, living will be impossible without cooling – and gradually most of our outdoor activities will shift to night hours.
In line with maintaining sustainability, adapting with the new or modified refrigerants is not a small challenge. The race of development to produce more and more refrigerants with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) has been and will be continuing. This year the entire global HVAC industry is trying to adopt R-32 and R-454B considering their lower GWP compared to R-410A.
R-32 is a single-component refrigerant, while R-454B is a blend of R-32 and R-1234yf. R-32 has a GWP of 675 and R-454B’s GWP is 466, which are lower than R-410A with a GWP of 2,088. R-32, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and being a balanced refrigerant is currently receiving attention. R-454B is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blend. Both R-32 and R-454B are mildly flammable, and classified as A2L refrigerants.
As of now there are many other challenges in our HVAC-R industry, which we will have to address as soon as possible. Perhaps the most urgent one is to develop a well trained and educated workforce designated for our industry.
Pravita Iyer
Publisher & Director
