Honeywell And Midea Team Up To Validate New Applications For Air Conditioner Refrigerant

Honeywell announced a strategic partnership with Midea Group, a leading Chinese home appliance maker, to replace R-410A with Solstice N41 (R-466A) in HVAC applications, including variable refrigerant flow (VRF) and chiller systems. R-466A is a nonflammable and lower global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant for stationary air conditioning systems.

“We’ve partnered with the best-of-the-best in our industry to validate the performance of Solstice N41 as a breakthrough solution,” said Chris LaPietra, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Stationary Refrigerants. “We are helping to solve for safety, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability with this solution, which offers a GWP that is 65 percent lower than R-410A. Key partnerships like the one we have with Midea help ensure it is ready for broad industry adoption later this year.

Once commercially available in late 2019, Solstice N41 will be the first A1* (nonflammable), reduced GWP R-410A replacement offered for stationary air conditioning systems. All other reduced-GWP alternatives proposed to date as R-410A replacements are flammable, increasing risk.

“As the first nonflammable refrigerant replacement for R-410A, Solstice N41 is a promising option to ensure our products are compliant with environmental regulations in target markets,” said Mingli Tian, general manager, Central Air-Conditioning Division of Midea Group. “This cooperation will help us enter the new future with a sustainable and safe offering for end users.”

When it comes to safety, Solstice N41 significantly reduces the need for additional design and eliminates the need to incorporate the sensors and valves typically required for minimizing flammability risk. Early results also indicate this nonflammable, reduced global warming alternative to R-410A will eliminate the need for specialized contractor training for flammability mitigation — a big advantage for the industry as it struggles to recruit and retain certified contractors.