Panasonic to switch to R32
2nd May 2018
EUROPE: Panasonic has become the latest air conditioning manufacturer to announce a full switch to the lower GWP refrigerant R32.
Following a similar announcement by Toshiba last month, Panasonic says it will consolidate its residential and commercial air conditioning ranges with less than 3kg of refrigerant, including its newly designed RAC floor consoles, split, multi-split and cassettes, to be compatible with R32.
Panasonic first outlined its R32 intentions at the Mostra Convegno exhibition in March.
Under the European F-gas regulations R410A can still be used in small systems until 2025, but rising prices and supply pressures on R410A have prompted manufacturers to bring forward plans to introduce R32 alternatives in Europe. Just last week, Derbyshire-based Panasonic distributor Logicool announced it would no longer be stocking R410A units.
Panasonic says it is now ready to supply R32 versions of any kind of residential single split and multi split system with up to five ports in addition to commercial splits of up to 14kW.
“Consolidating our portfolio to be compatible with R32 is an important step towards reducing the impact of air conditioning on our environment,” said UK country manager Alfredos Armaos. “For suppliers, it allows them to offer a more sustainable solution, and for installers it introduces the opportunity to offer a more energy-efficient and cost effective option to clients.”
Panasonic claims “realistic” efficiency increases of up to 10% on the new R32 units.
Related stories:
Logicool switches stock to R32 – 26 April 2018
UK: Derbyshire-based distributor Logicool has announced it will no longer offer R410A air conditioning units from stock. Read more…
Toshiba makes complete switch to R32 – 19 April 2018
UK: Toshiba UK has announced an immediate switch to lower GWP refrigerant R32 across its entire residential and light commercial air conditioning ranges. Read more…
R32 comes of age at MCE – 14 March 2018
ITALY: With R410A facing severe price and supply pressures, the lower GWP air conditioning refrigerant R32 finally came of age at this week’s Mostra Convengno Expocomfort (MCE) with major introductions by leading manufacturers. Read more…
