Transitioning to Low-GWP Alternatives in Residential and Light Commercial Air Conditioning

TRANSITIONING TO LOW-GWP ALTERNATIVES
in Residential & Light Commercial Air Conditioning
Background
This fact sheet provides current information on low global
warming potential (GWP) alternatives for new equipment in
residential and light commercial air conditioning (AC), in lieu
of high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons (MFCs). MFCs are powerful
greenhouse gases (GHG) thousands of times more potent per
pound than carbon dioxide (C02), but more climate-friendly
alternatives are becoming available.

Residential and light commercial AC equipment contain one
or more factory-made assemblies that normally include an
evaporator or cooling coil(s), compressor(s), and condenser(s).
These systems include most equipment that cool enclosed
spaces in households and commercial industries, with the
exception of chillers. These AC systems have a typical lifetime
of 15 years and generally fall into four categories:

Room AC Units
• Window-mounted, portable, and
through-the-wall types of self-contained
AC equipment with hermetically-sealed
compressor
• Capacities generally range from 5,000 to 24,000 BTU/hour,
but heavy-duty units can reach 30,000 BTU/hour
• Average systems in the U.S. contain about 1 Ib. of
refrigerant

Packaged Terminal AC /Heat Pumps
(PTAC/PTHP)
• Through-the-wall, self-contained
units with hermetically-sealed compressor
• PTHPs perform both heating and cooling functions
• Capacities of 7,000-15,000 BTU/hour
• Average systems in the U.S. contain less than
2 Ibs. of refrigerant
Other Residential AC and Heat Pumps
• AC and heat pumps used in residential
buildings ducted (central AC) or ductless
(e.g., mini-splits, multi-splits) systems
• Capacities typically 17,000-65,000 BTU/hour
• Average systems in the U.S. contain about 10 Ibs. of
refrigerant

Other Commercial AC
• Electrically operated AC systems used
for commercial applications
• Conditioned air can be distributed with
ductwork (similar to residential AC) or sent directly into a
building (e.g., from rooftop units into the space below)
• Capacities of 65,000-135,000 BTU/hour for small units and
135,000-240,000 BTU/hour for larger units
• Average systems in the U.S. contain about 15-50 Ibs. of
refrigerant depending on capacity

In 2014, U.S. emissions from residential and light commercial
AC equipment were estimated at 36.7 million metric tons of
carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02eq.), or roughly 22% of total
national HFC emissions.
Residential & Light
Commercial AC
22%
Foams 5%
2014
U.S. HFC
Emissions
Fire Ext. 1%
Aerosols 7%
Solvents "|%
Other Ref/AC
65%
U.S. HFC Emissions: 166 MMT C02Eq.
U.S. HFC Emissions in Residential & Light Commercial AC: 36.7 MMT C02Eq.

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TRANSITIONING TO LOW-GWP ALTERNATIVES in Residential & Light Commercial Air Conditio
Low-GWP Alternatives & Market Trends
Today, many residential and light commercial AC systems in
use contain HCFC-22, which is being phased out globally and
was banned for use in new AC systems in the U.S. beginning in
2010. The vast majority of units sold today contain R-410A, an
HFC mixture with a GWP—a measure of its climate warming
compared to C02—of 2,C
EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program
ensures the smooth transition to alternatives that pose lower
overall  risk to human health and the environment. In April 2015,
three lower GWP alternatives (propane, HFC-32, and R-441A)
were listed as acceptable by the SNAP program for use in room
AC units. Submission reviews of blends of other low-GWP
alternatives, such hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and MFCs, are also
expected in the near future.

Propane (R-290)

•  Used in small (low-charge) units produced in China and
   India; further R&D needed for larger residential and light
   commercial AC applications

•  Performs very similarly to fluorinated  refrigerants but charge
   size is about 50% of an R-22 unit

•  Successfully used in small units with  <2 Ibs. of refrigerant

HFC-32

•  Used in AC units sold in Europe and Asia, with manufacture
   in Japan, India, Indonesia, and soon in China

•  Higher capacity and efficiency than R-410A

Blends using HFO-1234yf and  HFO-1234ze

•  Potential use in small and medium AC units; would require
   system redesign of conventional R-410A systems due to
   lower pressure

•  Research and development as well as testing with equipment
   manufacturers are underway to identify lower GWP blends
   using these compounds (e.g., ARM-70a, DR5, Solstice L-20,
   L-40, and L-41) to match performance of R-410A

Carbon Dioxide (C02, R-744)

•  High operating pressure; research to overcome potential
   efficiency barriers underway

•  Other custom built applications are available outside of
   the  U.S.
  SNAP Facts
  • Authorized under Clean Air Act Title VI
  • Evaluates substitutes and lists as acceptable those that
    reduce overall risk to human health and environment;
    lists acceptable with use conditions if needed to ensure
    safe use; or lists as unacceptable.
  • Industrial sectors include:  Refrigeration &Air
    Conditioning, Foam Blowing, Solvent Cleaning, Fire
    Suppression, Aerosols, Sterilants, Adhesives, Coatings
    & Inks, and Tobacco Expansion.
  • Since it was established in 1994, SNAP has reviewed
    over 400 substitutes.
  • SNAP considers:
     •  Ozone Depleting Potential (OOP)
     •  Global Warming Potential (GWP)
     •  Flammability
     •  Toxicity
     •  Occupational & Consumer Health/Safety
     •  Local Air Quality
     •  Ecosystem Effects
Refrigerant GWP*
HCFC-22
R-410A
R-407C
HFO Blends
HFC-32
HFO-1234ze
HFO-1234yf
R-441A
Propane (R-290)
C02 (R-744)
1,810
2,088
1,774
<1,032
675
6
4
4
3.3
1
Note: HCFC-22 is no longer used in new equipment because of its ozone
depletion potential.

* GWP values are from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007.
  Emerging Use of Alternatives Internationally
  The use of climate-friendly refrigerants in residential
  and light commercial AC equipment is expanding in many
  countries around the world. Portable AC units using
  R-290 are widely available and window units are now
  in production in Asia.  Some companies are developing
  and producing split AC units using R-290 on a larger
  scale, with numerous production lines being completed
  in China, the largest manufacturer of AC equipment
  in the developing world. AC products with R-32 have
  also entered the global marketplace, as most Japanese
  companies have commercialized mini-split AC systems
  using R-32.

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TRANSITIONING TO LOW-GWP ALTERNATIVES in Residential & Light Commercial Air Conditio
Future Outlook
Together, the suite of known alternative chemicals, new
technologies, as well as better process and handling practices,
can significantly reduce HFC use in both the near and long term.
Although much work remains to fully adopt these chemicals,
technologies, and practices, and some unknowns still remain,
the equipment manufacturers and chemical producers for the
residential and light commercial AC industry are working on
developing new alternatives. Over the next few years, EPA is
expecting to finalize rules potentially adding several options
for new, climate-friendly residential and light commercial
AC products.
References
ANSI/AHRI. 2012. 2008 Standard for Performance Rating of Unitary Air-
Conditioning & Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment. Available online at: http://
www.ahrinet.org/App Content/ahri/files/standards%20pdfs/ANSI%20
standards%20pdfs/ANSI.AHRI%20Standard%20210.240%20with%20
Addenda%201%20and%202.pdf.

GTZ-Proklima International. 2009. "Gree Electric R290 Air Conditioner."
Presented on behalf of Gree by Dr. Volkmar Hasse, GTZ-Proklima
International, at the Joint West Asia and South Asia Network Meeting. May
10, 2009. Available online at: http://www.hvdrocarbons21.com/files/papers/
Gree-presenattion.ppt. Accessed September 30, 2010.

ICE International. 2007. "Assessment of HCFC-Based Air Conditioning
Equipment and Emerging Alternative Technologies." Final Report prepared
for the World Bank. September 2007.

International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2007. "Climate Change 2007:
The Physical Science Basis." Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M.
Tignor, and Hi. Miller (Eds.). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United
Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. September 2007. Available online at:
http://www.ipcc.ch/publications and data/ar4/wq1/en/contents.html.
Accessed September 30, 2010.

International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)/Technology and Economic
Assessment Panel (TEAP). 2005. "Safeguarding the Ozone Layer and
the Global Climate System: Issues Related to Hydrofluorocarbons and
Perfluorocarbons." Metz, B., K. Lambert, S. Solomon, S.O. Andersen, 0.
Davidson, J. Pons, D.d. Jager, T. Kestin, M. Manning, and L. Meyer (Eds.).
Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom. Available online at:
http://ipcc.ch/report/sroc/ Accessed September 30, 2010.

Rajadyaksha, Dilip. 2013. Our experiences in developing and handling
hydrocarbon air conditioners. Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company, India.
Advancing Ozone & Climate Protection Technologies: Next Steps, Second
International Conference. Bangkok,Thailand. June 29-30, 2013.
Stanga, Mark. 2013. Update on R-32 air-conditioners and heat pumps
manufacturing and sales. Daikin, United States. Advancing Ozone & Climate
Protection Technologies: Next Steps, Second International Conference.
Bangkok, Thailand. June 29-30, 2013.

Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP). 2013. "Decision
XXIV/7 Task Force Report: Additional Information to Alternatives on ODS."
September 2013. Available online at: http://ozone.unep.org/Assessment
Panels/TEAP/Reports/TEAP Reports/TEAP TaskForce%20XXIV-7-
September2013.pdf. Accessed August 21, 2014.

Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP). 2014. "Decision XXV/5
Task Force Report: Additional Information to Alternatives on ODS (Draft
Report)." May 2014. Available online at: http://ozone.unep.org/en/
teap-mav2014-decision-xxv5-task-force-report-additional-information-
alternatives-ods-draft-report. Accessed August 21, 2014.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2003. "2002 Report of
the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Technical Options
Committee." January 2003. Available online at: http://ozone.unep.org/
en/Assessment Panels/TEAP/Reports/RTOC/RTOC2002.pdf. Accessed
September 30, 2010.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2010. "Alternatives to
HCFCs in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector, Practical Guidelines
and Case Studies for Equipment Retrofit and Replacement." Available online
at: http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/ebooks/alternatives-to-hcfcs/ Accessed
September 20, 2010.
SNAP
SIGNIFICANT NEW ALTERNATIVES POLICY
EPA430F14020 • www.epa.gov • September 2015

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