World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Chiller shown using new R410A replacement

Multiaqua
The Multiaqua chiller using Chemours R410A replacement XL55 on the stand at AHR Expo

USA: A US manufacturer is to exhibit a ductless air-cooled water chiller using Opteon XL55, a lower GWP replacement for R410A, at the 2016 AHR Expo which opens today.

XL55, a Chemours refrigerant with an expected ASHRAE number of R452B, is seen as a competitor to R32 in the battle to replace R410A. It has been adopted by Multiaqua, a South-Carolina-based manufacturer of a range of residential and commercial air hydronic systems, in a chiller being exhibited at this week’s AHR Expo in Orlando.

According to Chemours, the new gas has a very similar GWP to R32 but with better efficiency, lower discharge temperatures and a lower flammability. In tests on a Trane chiller, XL55 is said to have exhibited better performance than both R410A and R32 when used as a drop-in.

Opteon XL55 is said to be gaining significant interest from OEMs  and is awaiting approval under the US Environmental Protection Agency Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) programme.

When replacing R410A, XL55 is said to offer improved performance, while maintaining design compatibility. According to Chemours it also has the lowest flammability compared to industry tested R410A alternatives.

“The continued adoption of the products in our Opteon portfolio by major OEMs shows the significant shift that the industry has begun to make toward our HFO solutions,” said Diego Boeri, global business director of Chemours Fluorochemicals. 

Chiller manufacturer using R513A

During the AHR Expo, Smardt Chiller Group will also announce the commercialisation of high-efficiency centrifugal chillers using R513A, Chemours new XP10 refrigerant. Smardt is a global leader of the fast-growing oil-free centrifugal chiller market, with factories in Germany, the US, Canada, Australia and China. Smardt expects its magnetic bearing centrifugal chillers to be available in both air-cooled and water-cooled versions well before the end of 2016.

Earlier this month Johnson Controls announced that its R134a chiller portfolio was also now compatible with R513A.

Related stories:

DR-55 is 5% better as drop-in – September 16, 2015
USA: Chemours R410A replacement DR-55 is reported to have performed well in high ambient drop-in tests on a R410A rooftop air conditioner. Read more…

York chillers compatible with R513A – January 20, 2016
USA: York centrifugal and screw chillers from 440 to 21,100kW are now compatible with R513A, the lower GWP alternative for R134a. Read more…

Latest News

9th June 2026

LFB Group acquires French AHU company Hydronic

FRANCE: The LFB Group has acquired French air handling unit manufacturer Hydronic from the Eoliance air treatment group.
9th June 2026

European citizens back heat pump switch

EUROPE: A new YouGov poll is said to have indicated that European citizens see clean energy independence as a safety issue, not just a climate concern.
9th June 2026

Swegon merges Zent-Frenger and Barcol-Air

SWEDEN: The Swedish HVAC equipment manufacturer Swegon has combined its Zent-Frenger and Barcol-Air Production businesses under the new name Swegon Operations HEP GmbH.
8th June 2026

Former Ziehl-Abegg chairman Uwe Ziehl dies

GERMANY: Fans and ventilation equipment manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg is mourning the death of its long-serving former chairman Uwe Ziehl.
8th June 2026

Nidec develops 300kW capacity CDU

JAPAN: Nidec claims to have developed a prototype in-rack CDU with a cooling capacity of up to 300kW.
7th June 2026

EPEE explains F-gas safety exemptions

BELGIUM: A new document from EPEE attempts to provide greater clarity to the practical application of the safety exemptions of the European F-gas regulation (2024/573).