Market news, 10 May 2024
Honeywell announced that Bosch’s newest line of heat pumps will incorporate Honeywell’s energy-efficient Solstice low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant. As part of this collaboration, Bosch technicians will be trained in the safe maintenance and installation of these next generation low-GWP solutions. The collaboration with Bosch also supports Honeywell’s recently announced plans to align its portfolio around three compelling megatrends, including the energy transition.
Bosch’s Florida Heat Pump series will use Honeywell Solstice 454B refrigerant, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in residential and light commercial heating and air conditioning by 78% compared to traditional refrigerants. With the integration of Honeywell Solstice, Bosch’s heat pumps will be able to use a combination of both electricity and refrigerants to move heat, providing an energy-efficient alternative to heating and cooling via traditional furnaces and air conditioners.
“Honeywell continues to pioneer next-generation refrigerants for the industry that enable our global partners to meet their carbon footprint targets,” said Jeff Dormo, president of Honeywell Advanced Materials. “Bosch's selection of Honeywell's low-GWP refrigerant reflects our joint commitment to environmental responsibility and underscores our strategic alignment in assisting companies with their energy transition, mitigating the environmental impact of heating and cooling systems.”
The heating and cooling industry is undergoing a significant change in refrigerants, driven primarily by regulations under the EPA American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act in the United States. To help installers prepare for the transition, Honeywell and Bosch are also partnering together to share important technical information on the refrigerant change, and to ensure technicians know the best practices for safe handling, maintenance and installation of these new refrigerants.
“Bosch Home Comfort deeply values professional training on both the technology and best practices for safely installing the equipment as designed,” said Dr. Alexander Wuthnow, president and CEO of Bosch Home Comfort North America. “As the industry pivots to lower global warming potential refrigerants, contractor education will become even more critical in 2024 and beyond. We are proud to partner with Honeywell to make critical resources easily accessible to installers and to further drive excellence and innovation in the industry.”
Honeywell has invested more than $1 billion in research, development and the creation of new capacity for its Solstice technology, which currently has applications in refrigerants, blowing agents, aerosols and solvents, and is also being evaluated for expanded use in metered dose inhalers. Since its introduction in 2011, the use of Honeywell Solstice technology has helped avoid the potential release of the equivalent of more than 326 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere or the carbon emissions from nearly 70 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles per year.
