Growing use of CO2 and hydrocarbons in light commercial refrigeration continues to freeze out HFCs
Hydrocarbons, September 22, 2015. Image credit: stokpic
There are currently more than 291,000 natural refrigerant-based light commercial units in North America, with more than 181,000 units using hydrocarbons and 109,000 employing CO2. shecco’s previous market report on North America in 2013 noted that the number was closer to 5,000 units, signifying a dramatic increase in adoption of natural refrigerants in a mere two years, with Mexico’s light commercial sector proving one of the most prosperous.
Policy and consumers brands provide the push for natural refrigerants
According to shecco’s commercial availability map which was developed with the insights of industry experts, natural refrigerant solutions for light commercial refrigeration applications are set to become fully commercially available by 2017, and are already considered semi-commercially available. Furthermore, CO2 and hydrocarbons are expected to become the industry standard for light commercial cooling in North America by 2030.
The GUIDE found that the major drivers for the increased adoption of natural refrigerant solutions in light commercial refrigeration applications are approvals for natural refrigerant alternatives, delisting of high GWP refrigerants and increased emphasis on energy efficiency. A recent market report predicts that the U.S. Department of Energy’s evolving efficiency standards will further drive the market adoption of CO2 and hydrocarbons in light commercial refrigeration.