Original refrigerators: Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps and air conditioners

The European Union’s commitment to greenhouse gases is firm. With the new F-Gas regulation, emissions from refrigerants, widely used in air conditioners, heat pumps and refrigeration systems, will be reduced and eliminated (by 2050). Mitsubishi Electric has taken up the challenge by offering a variety of solutions – with refrigerant gas R290 (propane) – for air conditioning, heating, air treatment and domestic hot water production. At the MCE 2024 event we met Massimo SalmasoEducation and Training Specialist Mitsubishi Electric who highlighted how the company is ready with systems and solutions capable of meeting different needs and specific intended uses.

The challenge of natural refrigerants

“Europe is the only continent that is currently being established ban on the use of synthetic refrigerants, including banning the production or import in the European Union of products containing these gases – says Massimo Salmaso -. For us producers it is important to find alternative gas. One of these is propane, which on the one hand responds to sustainable needs, but on the other hand has secondary effects such as flammability”.

So this is a new change for the HVAC industry. In fact, companies have already faced changes in the 1990s that led to the replacement of ozone-destroying substances such as CFCs and HCFCs and HFCs in equipment such as refrigerators, air conditioners, heat pumps, fire protection, foam or switchgear.

“Today the stress is high reduction of greenhouse gases and so attention has shifted to high and medium GWP refrigerants (Global Warning Protection) – adds Salmaso -. New original refrigerators, such asR290 (propane), they have a Almost zero GWP that it has no impact and no harm to the environment, it guarantees good thermodynamic performance, is non-toxic, easy to find, does not have to be disposed of like current HFCs. However, it needs to review the application and design as it is a flammable gas, as we have already explained.

So manufacturers must adapt and revolutionize the way they make machines and comfort equipment, as well as those who design the systems and those who install them.

Mitsubishi Electric’s R290 proposal

Ahead of the deadlines set by European regulations, Mitsubishi Electric presented a preview of a range of solutions with the original refrigerant R290 at MCE 2024.
On the topic of air-to-water heat pumps, it does first Ecodan R290, a complete line of hydrosplit heat pumps in which the refrigeration part is sealed outside and all hydraulic components of the system are kept inside. Thanks to the maximum water temperature of up to 75 ° C, Ecodan R290 is an excellent solution even in the case of recovery in systems powered by combustion systems. Ecodan R290 is characterized by high performance, silence and energy efficiency.

With original refrigerator too MSZ-RZ air conditioner which is characterized by high energy efficiency, safe equipment and technologies of the latest generation, air purification, silence, thermal performance (operation is guaranteed up to -30 ° C). And like all home comfort solutions of the Japanese company, they have a unique design and fine style.

R290: gas “of crossing” are suitable for many applications

R290 will have transitional use in all sectors, therefore residential, commercial, industrial. Thanks to the very low GWP it can be used both for indoor air conditioning and for heat pumps.

“Right now it is the only gas we can think of as a real alternative for the next few years. Indeed, thanks to research and development, new alternatives will emerge – Salmaso highlights -. Among other things, it can also be used in repairs and radiators, as it is possible to reach a delivery temperature of up to 75 ° C. We can say that it is an improvement solution as it expands the installation range “. Therefore, new propane solutions can meet the different needs of software. This does not mean that they can be used every time and everywhere. It is always good to consider the limitations of installation and design.

Mitsubishi Electric is already ready for the future

To provide the right solution every time, the proposal ranges from heat pumps – the undisputed protagonists – and air conditioners with R32 gas to commercial refrigeration solutions that use CO2 that allow you to step forward towards an increasingly environmentally friendly environment.
Mitsubishi Electric is always committed to providing innovations that can accelerate the transition of energy.

As emphasized by Salmaso, “The European Union has chosen to be the first continent Carbon Neutral setting challenging and difficult targets, especially for refrigeration. We at Mitsubishi Electric are already ready, and we can be key players in this change thanks to modern, efficient and sustainable technology for air conditioning, heating, air treatment and domestic hot water production”.