Last month, a report jointly published by the Indian Institute of Energy and Resources, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (IGDSD) aimed at how India can sustainably and efficiently conserve energy. The way to improve the use of air conditioning provides guidance. According to the contents of the report, the use of R290 refrigerant has become a key recommendation.
'In India, staying cool is more than just a matter of comfort,' said Frances Beinecke of NRDC. 'This is a matter of life and death. This report provides changes to the air-conditioning market to combat global climate change. The key strategy also provides key strategies for billions of Indian air conditioners that are desperately needed by the people. In South Asia, the air-conditioning market is growing rapidly and this sensible planning is critical to our future.
The report titled "Improving Air Conditioning in India" mentioned that currently India, a South Asian country, already has the conditions to market R290 split-type air conditioners using hydrocarbon refrigerants.
However, as of 2017, the market penetration of R290 room air conditioners sold in India is still very low and is expected to be only 2%. To this day, room air conditioners using HVAC refrigerant R22 with a GWP of up to 1760, which has a destructive effect on the ozone layer , The market in India accounts for about 70% of sales.
The Kigali amendment calls for a global phase-out of HFCs, which will probably require the vast majority of countries eventually adopting low-GWP refrigerants, such as GW-290 (propane) with a GWP of only 3,' the report said.
The report states that although the GWP of the HFC-based refrigerant R32 is 677, R32 is still a limited choice, and that this substance will eventually be incorporated into the Kigali Amendment control.
Although the R290 is flammable and still requires extensive training to enable India to use this natural refrigerant, 'HC-290 is replacing HCFC-22 in the market. India has sold hundreds of thousands of room air conditioners using R290 , including the highest energy efficiency of room air conditioners, and the GWP of this refrigerant is extremely low.
The report explained that R290 is also known for its energy efficiency. 'R290 is another environmentally friendly refrigerant used in the Indian market, compared to R22, at ambient temperatures of 52°C and 55°C, R290's Energy efficiency can be increased by 7%-8%.'
For example, Godrej Appliances, Godrej Group, India's Godrej Group, currently uses R290 for government projects, and has the highest energy-efficient room air conditioner in India. Its Indian Air Conditioning Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER) is as high as 5.8. By April 2018, Godrej Appliances The R290 air-conditioned ISER can reach up to 6.15.
The report emphasizes that if the ISEE minimum requirement for air conditioning in the Indian market is above 4.0, this would mean that more energy efficient air conditioners using low GWP refrigerants such as R290 will be put on the market.
The importance of logos and standards
Energy Efficiency Agency of India Energy Efficiency Labeling Project is strengthening air-conditioning energy efficiency standards and logos year by year.
The report also proposes that allowing customers to understand the energy efficiency labeling and refrigerant GWP of air-conditioning systems can further increase the use of sustainable and energy-efficient air-conditioning.
In India, a large number of projects have been used to reduce the price of energy-efficient and greener air conditioners. A joint venture established by Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. (EESL), a joint venture company of the Indian Ministry of Energy and several state-owned companies from Godrej. Purchased R290 air conditioner with 10000 ISER for 5.2.
The report also pointed out that the current price of R290 room air conditioners is still higher than standard HFC air conditioners, which constitutes an important obstacle to R290 air conditioners. A key method to help reduce R290 air conditioner prices may be to increase energy efficiency requirements and reduce GWP access. Threshold. 'Some manufacturers have expressed their opinions and hope that in future bids, Energy Efficiency Services Co., Ltd. will steadily raise the minimum ISER requirement (to raise the minimum ISER requirement to 5.2 or higher) and introduce a lower GWP refrigerant. Claim. '
The report also proposes that R290 air conditioner manufacturers can outsource compressors, heat exchangers and other components to other Indian companies to further reduce production costs.