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Technical, economic, environmental and safety (TEES) implications of low GWP refrigerants in domestic air conditioners and heat pumps. 

Number: 1172

Author(s) : COLBOURNE D.

Summary

As climate changes and summer temperatures rise, there will be increasing demand for domestic reversible air conditioning systems (RACS). At the same time climate-driven national policies are requiring increased uptake of domestic heat pumps (DHPs) to replace gas boilers. Current refrigerants include HFCs that exhibit significant warming impact when emitted, thus accentuating the climate impact. Use of negligible-GWP hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants can help mitigate this impact. The present work is a detailed assessment considering technical, economic, environmental and safety (TEES) implications, all of which are interrelated to some extent. Using various product databases and extending them to include additional parameters such as refrigerant charge, physical size and weight and retail price, general characteristics of these products are mapped out with particular attention to the factors that may be affected by refrigerant choice. Information on currently available products using HCs and results from heat exchanger simulations and other system components, R1270 and R290 refrigerant charge was estimated for a range of nominal thermal capacities and with high seasonal efficiencies. Charge limits specified within IEC 60335-2-40: 2022, along with cost and practical implications of applying appropriate flammability risk mitigation concepts (RMCs) provides a framework for determining their applicability in RACS and DHPs. Differences in materials and other inputs are used to determine implications of cost, equipment size and lifetime carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
emissions. Main findings are for all seasonal efficiency levels, HCs can be applied within the charge limits of the standard. Quantity of materials required for R32, R1270 and R290 are similar and cost implication is relatively small, in the order of a few Euros. Overall, significant benefits for emissions reduction are seen when switching from R410A or R32 to HCs. Depending upon the choice of RMC, cost effectiveness of switching to R1270 and R290 is favourable, i.e., emissions reductions are achieved in parallel with lifetime cost reductions, particularly when the cost of refrigerant is taken into account. Other low GWP alternatives, R152a and R1234yf, were found to suffer from higher material costs. Thus, with HC  efrigerants, domestic heating and air conditioning, considering higher temperatures and decarbonisation targets, can be applied without adverse contributions to climate change or equipment cost.

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Details

  • Original title: Technical, economic, environmental and safety (TEES) implications of low GWP refrigerants in domestic air conditioners and heat pumps. 
  • Record ID : 30034205
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: HFCs alternatives
  • Source: 1st IIR International Conference on Refrigeration Adapting to Rising Temperatures
  • Publication date: 2025/08
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.adaptation.2024.1172

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