In follow-up to the document that Tecumseh issued in June 2015 regarding recommended refrigerants (click here to view), the company has continued to test various low-global warming potential (GWP) options with the objective of determining suitable replacements for R-404A and R-134a.
REMOTE CONDENSING UNITS
For commercial refrigeration equipment employing the use of remote condensing units, Tecumseh has approved R-449A and R-452A as acceptable alternatives to R-404A. However, due to the higher discharge temperatures prevalent with R-449A, compressors used in these applications must maintain strict compliance with the requirements outlined in the relevant Tecumseh Policy Bulletins and Application Guidelines. Tecumseh is in the process of releasing a full line of R-449A compressors and associated condensing units for low-, medium-, and high-temperature commercial refrigeration applications.
In the United States, the use of R-452A in new remote condensing units is still under review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is not approved as a replacement for R-404A in these applications.
Tecumseh is still reviewing R-448A.
SELF-CONTAINED/STAND-ALONE EQUIPMENT
For self-contained/stand-alone commercial refrigeration equipment with capacities less than ½ hp, Tecumseh continues to support HC refrigerant R-290 (propane) as the preferred choice. However, because R-290 is classified as an “A3” (highly flammable) refrigerant, charge limitations and safety requirements must be taken into consideration. Typical applications for R-290 include beverage coolers, reach-ins, vending equipment, and commercial refrigerators and freezers.
Tecumseh has also approved R-513A as an acceptable alternative to R-134a and requires that compressors meet the guidelines outlined in the relevant Tecumseh Policy Bulletins and Application Guidelines.
Tecumseh is still reviewing R-450A.
For all self-contained/stand-alone commercial refrigeration equipment applications, Tecumseh has approved R-449A and R-452A as acceptable alternatives to R-404A. However, due to the higher discharge temperatures prevalent with R-449A, compressors used in the above mentioned applications must maintain strict compliance with the requirements outlined in the relevant Tecumseh Policy Bulletins and Application Guidelines. In addition, refrigerants R-449A and R-452A are non-azeotropic mixtures with significant temperature glide that must be accounted for within the application.
In the United States, the use of R-449A and R-452A in new self-contained/stand-alone equipment is still under review by the EPA and is not approved as a replacement for R-404A in these applications. The exception is low-temperature applications where the EPA has listed R-449A as approved under its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program.
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS
Tecumseh said it is continuing to devote resources in evaluating its products for use with low-GWP refrigerants including the determination of a sustainable long-term solution. The company is also continuing to evaluate other interim solutions for R-404A where there are opportunities to deliver higher compressor efficiencies without sacrificing product reliability.
“Tecumseh has the interest of its customers and the environment in mind by promoting eco-friendly refrigerants that don’t have an adverse effect on product reliability,” the company said in a press release. “Another key objective is to limit the number of medium-term refrigerants that can work across our product range and within commercial refrigeration operating temperatures. In addition, Tecumseh continues to work in conjunction with industry associations the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the Association of European Refrigeration Component Manufacturers (ASERCOM) and affiliated member companies in the evaluation and testing of low-GWP refrigerants.”
For more information, visit www.tecumseh.com.
