Eco-friendly air conditioning

Johnson Controls has recently launched their York manufactured console units using R410A, a gas refrigerant with zero ODP (ozone depleting potential). This is in response to the outlawing of refrigerants containing CFC's (chlorofluorocarbons) due to the damage they cause to the environment.

Says Neil Cameron of Johnson Controls: "HCFC refrigerants, like R22 which is used in the majority of common console and split console air conditioners, were successful transitional refrigerants - but these too need to be phased out. The new console units deliver additional benefits as they make use of inverter compressors and are heat pumps, resulting in a high electric efficiency and thus low running costs."

"Traditional console air conditioning units are popular because they are self-contained, require low skill to install and are simple to maintain."

However they are not super efficient and they use R22, an ozone depleting refrigerant that is being phased out. Since R410A gas operates at a higher pressure and requires thicker pipes, retro fitting these air conditioners is not an option - they need to be replaced.

"With the development of an R410A inverter heat pump console unit, Johnson Controls not only offers a global eco-friendly first in this model of air-conditioner, but improves the performance of its products," says Cameron.

Johnson Control's York console air-conditioning units have a market share of approximately 60% in South Africa. The new York R410A inverter heat pump design will allow Johnson Controls to retain and grow its market leadership in this section.

In practical terms, there is virtually no faster win for organisations looking to shrink their eco-footprint, notes Cameron. "The York R410A inverter heat pump console units are 30% more efficient in terms of energy use for cooling, release no ozone depleting gasses and run more quietly, for longer."