VALENT UPGRADES TO CLIMATE-FRIENDLY R-454B REFRIGERANT

AIMING AT INNOVATION

With the passage of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020, Congress gave the Environmental Protection Agency a mandate to regulate hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) over the coming years due to their high global warming potential. The legislation requires new equipment to use refrigerants with a GWP of 750 or less, starting January 1, 2025. This means that R-410A, which has a GWP of 2,088, will no longer be used in new equipment.

LOW FLAMMABILITY, LOW GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL

R-454B, which has a GWP of 465, meets and exceeds the EPA’s standard. However, it is slightly flammable compared to R-410A. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) classifies R-454B as an A2L refrigerant, meaning that it has lower flammability than an A3 refrigerant such as propane and a lower burning velocity than an A2 refrigerant. 

A2L refrigerants cannot be ignited by a static spark, and over 80% of new vehicles sold in the United States now contain an A2L refrigerant, according to AHRI, the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

ENHANCED SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

Though a fire resulting from a refrigerant leak is unlikely, Valent has enhanced its DOAS units to include multiple leak detection sensors for safety. One or more of these safeguards will be triggered if there is a leak, depending on the leak location:

• The compressors will turn off.
• The supply fan will be automatically set to a constant speed.
• Based on configuration, other components may be started or stopped.

A NEW INDUSTRY STANDARD

R-454B is well on its way to becoming the industry standard for environmentally friendly refrigerants used in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology. According to ACHR News, R-454B has similar temperatures and pressures to the widely used R-410A, but with higher efficiency and less than 25% of the global warming potential. Valent is on track to complete this transition before the deadline of January 1, 2025.