Johnson Controls adds $100k to A2L research
USA: Johnson Controls has donated $100,000 to ASHRAE’s research into the safe use of mildly flammable, low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.
ASHRAE has already pledged $1.2m towards the $5.2m joint research programme with the AHRI and the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced at the beginning of this month.
The research programme into the properties and the use of flammable refrigerants is seen as part of the ongoing global effort to phase down the use of high GWP refrigerants and identify appropriate climate-friendly alternatives. Although looking at flammable refrigerants generally, the research will focus on safety standards for the “mildly flammable” A2L refrigerants
“ASHRAE is very appreciative of this contribution from Johnson Controls toward our research on A2L refrigerants,” said ASHRAE president David Underwood as he received the cheque during yesterday’s President’s Luncheon at the ASHRAE 2016 Annual Conference in St. Louis.
“These funds will go a long way in our vital research to establish a more robust fact base about the properties and the use of flammable refrigerants,” he added.
Efficiency
Johnson Controls has previously warned against neglecting chiller operating efficiency in the drive to find lower GWP refrigerant alternatives.
“The refrigerants Johnson Controls chooses for our products best fit the needs of our customers and the environment, based on safety, efficiency, reliability, availability and cost,” said Laura Wand, vice president of global chillers, Johnson Controls Building Efficiency Business. “Johnson Controls maintains flammable or toxic refrigerants should not be used if a safer, comparable alternative is available and offers the same efficiency performance or better.”
Johnson Controls is also involved in discussions associated with the Global Refrigerant Management Initiative (GRMI) that are being led by AHRI, The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy and the Brazilian Association for HVACR. The subject of these discussions is the development and standardisation of service technician and operator training for the safe use of mildly flammable, low-GWP refrigerants.
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