Prioritizing Refrigerant Reduction with Latest VRF Innovation

Cooling our buildings in a warming planet is a constant challenge. The same HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) technology used to keep indoor environments comfortable can also negatively impact our climate. A key contributor? Refrigerants: fluorinated gases that keep our buildings cool, but also produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) when leaked into our atmosphere.

Currently, Trane and the rest of the HVAC industry are addressing the use of refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP), which refers to a gas’ potential to trap heat in the atmosphere. For example, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have a high GWP and are commonly used in HVAC equipment. According to Project Drawdown, HFCs have 1,000 to 9,000 times greater capacity to warm the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.[1] As we reduce these GHGs within our built environment, effectively managing refrigerants is one of Trane’s key pillars of decarbonization.

We approach refrigerant management in two primary ways. While these two methods work independently of one another, implementing both into HVAC systems will more significantly reduce refrigerant related GHGs.

1. First, we reduce refrigerant losses in our equipment by designing systems with lower refrigerant charges and fewer refrigerant connection points, minimizing opportunities for leaks. We also offer regular servicing and routine maintenance to keep the equipment leak-free.
2. Second, we prioritize using refrigerants with a lower GWP. As more equipment portfolios transition to next-generation refrigerants in coming years, we intentionally choose refrigerants that balance safety, efficiency, and environmental impacts.

Refrigerant management at Trane is driven by our commitment to decarbonize the built environment and the evolving industry regulations. At a global level, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol calls for all nations to reduce their use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). As a result, the U.S. American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act (enacted in 2020) prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement rules that reduce the use of HFCs.[2] Individual states also take more stringent action in addition to current federal legislation. For example, California has implemented lower GWP thresholds for HVAC refrigerants beyond what is federally required. Like these states leading the way, Trane improves HVAC technology ahead of required refrigerant phaseouts to offer solutions that comply with updated policies for years to come.

Take refrigerant reduction further with Trane® / Mitsubishi Electric HVRF
The changing regulatory landscape continues to drive HVAC innovation. One of the latest innovations comes from Trane’s joint venture partnership with Mitsubishi Electric. The new Trane® / Mitsubishi Electric HVRF system was recently added to our expansive VRF portfolio. Designed with refrigerant reduction in mind, this new solution is an all-electric, two-pipe hydronic VRF system.

Conventional VRF is a popular choice for accomplishing building electrification goals, but HVRF takes decarbonization one step further. In addition to being 100% electric, HVRF reduces the refrigerant charge in the overall system by up to 20%. This heat pump uses a combination of water and refrigerant line sets to simultaneously heat and cool multi-zone buildings such as hotels, dormitories, offices and multi-family complexes.

The Hybrid Branch Controller (HBC) is the proprietary technology that drives HVRF’s refrigerant reduction. In conventional VRF systems, branch controllers exchange heat between exterior and interior refrigerant line sets. The HBC, however, facilitates this heat exchange between exterior refrigerant lines and interior water lines. By introducing water line sets in place of refrigerant line sets, HVRF is an example of a system that reduces the number of refrigerant connection points and minimizes opportunities for leaks.