R32, An Environmentally-Friendly Refrigerant

An Environmentally-Friendly Refrigerant

The commonly used refrigerants in air conditioning systems contribute greatly to greenhouse gas emissions and ozone depletion, consequently putting our environment at stake.

At Panasonic, we are committed to healthier lifestyles and reducing our environmental footprint. That is why our air conditioners have been increasingly adopting the more environmentally-friendly R32 refrigerant.

About R32

R32 Vs. Other Refrigerants

Benefits of R32

What is R32 Refrigerant?

In air conditioning systems, a refrigerant is a chemical compound used to absorb heat and create cool air through the compressor and evaporator. There are many types of refrigerant used in air conditioning systems. One of it is the R32 refrigerant, which has low environmental impact yet maintains its efficiency in transferring heat.

Characteristic of R32 Refrigerant

Single Composition Gas, Easy to Manage

R32 with the formula CH₂F₂ is a single component of gas. Its composition does not change over time, unlike other blended refrigerant. Therefore, there is no impact on system performance due to composition change. This also means that it is easy to top-up or recharge on-site without affecting its composition.

Low Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Global warming potential (GWP) refers the impact of different gases on global warming. The higher the GWP, the more heat from the specific gas warms the earth over a period of time. R32 has lower GWP compared to other types of refrigerant. The most commonly used refrigerant R410A has a GWP of 2090; three times of R32’s GWP of 675.

Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) is a measure of the amount of degradation to the ozone layer that a chemical compound can cause. R32 is an hydrofluorocarbon compound which has zero ODP, which means it does not harm the ozone layer.

Non-toxic Refrigerant

Refrigerants are divided into two categories; Class A and Class B, based on toxicity. R32 falls under Class B, the non-toxic category. This means that it is safe for both humans and the environment.

Comparison of R32 and Other Refrigerant Types

R32 has been introduced as an alternative to R410A for its lower GWP compared to R410A. R410A is the replacement for the phased out R22 refrigerant.

Refrigerant Properties of R32, R410A and R22

	R32	R410A	R-22
Deodorises	Single Component	2 Components	Single Component
Chemical Formula	CH₂F₂	CH₂F₂ / CHF₂CF₃	CHCLF₂
Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)	0	0	0.055
Global Warming Potential (GWP)	675	2090	1810
Toxicity	None	None	None
Flammability	A2L Mildly flammable	A1 Non-flammable	A1 Non-flammable

What are the Benefits of Using R32?

There are many benefits of switching to R32 refrigerant for your air conditioning system, which includes the following:

Higher Cooling Capacity

R32 has high latent heat, which means more heat is absorbed. Its excellent heat transfer capabilities make it more efficient in cooling.

Reduce Energy Cost

R32 is less dense than R410A and requires a smaller quantity to operate. This makes it more energy-efficient than other refrigerants to help you lower energy bills. Additionally, single component R32 is easy to reuse, recycle and is easy to recharge on site; keeping the cost low.

Environmentally Friendly

Compared to R410A, R32 has low global warming potential, minimizing its effects on climate change. Additionally, R32 is pure hydrofluorocarbon with zero impact on ozone layer, making it a significantly less harmful option for the environment.