Experimental performance of R432A to replace R22 in residential air-conditioners and heat pumps

In this study, thermodynamic performance of R432A and HCFC22 is measured in a heat pump bench tester under both air-conditioning and heat pumping conditions. R432A has no ozone depletion potential and very low greenhouse warming potential of less than 5. R432A also offers a similar vapor pressure to HCFC22 for ‘drop-in’ replacement. Test results showed that the coefficient of performance and capacity of R432A are 8.5–8.7% and 1.9–6.4% higher than those of HCFC22 for both conditions. The compressor discharge temperature of R432A is 14.1–17.3 °C lower than that of HCFC22 while the amount of charge for R432A is 50% lower than that of HCFC22 due to its low density. Overall, R432A is a good long term ‘drop-in’ environmentally friendly alternative to replace HCFC22 in residential air-conditioners and heat pumps due to its excellent thermodynamic and environmental properties.