Copeland, a provider of sustainable climate solutions, announced it is optimizing its major Copeland air conditioning (AC) and refrigeration compressor platforms for reliable use with A2L refrigerants while improving performance.
“As a global technology leader in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration, Copeland has been helping customers achieve their sustainability, decarbonization and regulatory compliance goals,” said John Schneider, president, HVACR Americas at Copeland. “This next generation of safe, reliable and highly efficient A2L compressor technologies is designed to help industry stakeholders transition to lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and meet sustainability goals and environmental regulations in a timely and competitive manner.”
To prepare for the imminent approval and wider adoption of A2L refrigerants, Copeland’s portfolio of next generation A2L-optimized compression technologies includes the following recently listed refrigerants:
- R-32 (675 GWP) and R-454B (466 GWP) for air conditioning applications; and
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R-455A (146 GWP), R-454C (148 GWP) and R-454A (238 GWP) for refrigeration applications
Copeland has also qualified rotalock service fittings and electronic componentry for use with A2Ls, including onboard compressor protection, variable frequency drives (VFDs), contactors and sealed relays.
A2Ls also have a likely place in distributed refrigeration architectures, such as remote, outdoor condensing units or mini racks used in smaller-format outlets. Composed of various blends of HFO refrigerants and select lower GWP HFCs, A2L refrigerants are among the few alternatives available to deliver expected GWP reductions below the 700 GWP regulatory thresholds in air conditioning applications, and 300 and 150 GWP thresholds in commercial refrigeration applications.
Combined with refrigerant leak detectors and supervisory control architectures, Copeland’s full A2L component portfolio reflects its commitment to maximizing A2L application safety and refrigeration reliability.
Copeland has invested in its global laboratory and manufacturing facilities to accommodate its A2L product development, with the following domestic capabilities:
- 42 A2L performance test rooms
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240 A2L life testing stands
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State of the art power electronics lab capable of testing A2L refrigerants
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Psychrometric and environmental chambers capable of testing systems with A2L refrigerants
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$12 million in additional A2L testing capabilities in its manufacturing facilities.
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Technician and manufacturing expertise to meet customer requirements.
Production for air conditioning A2L models began in 2022; further models are following with a staggered release based on OEM requirements. Production for refrigeration A2L models began this summer, and further model releases will be staggered across all major product platforms.
