The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has released Version 2.0 of its resource guide on R290 split air conditioners, aiming to support a global shift toward energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling technologies. Published under the Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change II (C4II) project, the guide addresses key technical, regulatory, and market-related aspects of introducing R290 (propane) as a refrigerant in split-type AC systems.
According to the report, demand for space cooling is rising sharply due to urbanization, economic growth, and climate change, with single-split ACs accounting for the majority of residential cooling worldwide. However, many of these systems currently use high-GWP refrigerants like R22, R410A, and R32, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The guide highlights R290 as a low-GWP alternative that offers comparable or superior energy performance.
The document outlines the technical specifications of R290, noting its high critical temperature, favorable heat transfer properties, and classification as an A3 refrigerant under ISO 817. Due to its flammability, the guide provides detailed safety recommendations for equipment design, production, installation, servicing, and technician training. It stresses that drop-in conversions of existing systems with R290 are not recommended due to safety and performance concerns.
Market transition examples include large-scale adoption in India, where more than 600,000 R290 split units have been sold, and pilot projects in Ghana and Costa Rica under the guidance of GIZ. The report states that with a 50% market share of R290 units by 2050, GHG emissions from the sector could be reduced by 25%.
“Transitioning the market from R22 and R410A directly to R290 as a sustainable solution for Ghana’s growing AC market is promoted as one of the key climate measures,” said Emmanuel Osae-Quansah, National Ozone Officer at Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency.
The guide is intended for policy makers, standards bodies, manufacturers, and service providers, offering a comprehensive overview of regulatory pathways, product safety standards, energy performance testing, and technician certification.
