R32 air conditioner sales pass 3 million

JAPAN: Although global availability is still limited, as of March this year sales of air conditioners using the “mildly flammable” refrigerant R32 had already passed 3 million.

And while air conditioners using R32 are not yet available in the USA and have only recently been introduced into Europe, Daikin claims that the lower GWP replacement for R410A has already been sold into 43 countries.

The figures are revealed in Daikin’s recently released 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility Report. It also reveals that this refrigerant, initially designed for residential air conditioners, is now being used in commercial units and water heaters as well.

“With emerging countries hastening their conversion from conventional refrigerants, Daikin is working with national governments and United Nations organisations to build the infrastructure and train the human resources needed to spread the use of HFC-32 air conditioners,” said Daikin president and CEO Masanori Togawa.

“To mitigate the environmental impact of refrigerants, we also need to use HFC-32 not only in Daikin products but also to get other manufacturers using it,” writes Masanori Togawa in his introductory message.

“Converting to next-generation refrigerants is a particularly pressing concern in emerging countries, which may not have the expertise to convert to HFC-32. That is why we are assisting them in their fight to protect the ozone layer and mitigate global warming throughout the entire product lifecycle; for example, providing governments, air conditioner manufacturers, and dealer engineers with the techniques and knowledge we have built up.”

The company is already working with the Thai government and air conditioning manufacturers to aid the switch to R32. Daikin also recently announced that it was allowing free access to all its patents governing the use of R32.