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 has 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.
