Query
1.Please clarify if all ACs should also be HCFC free.
2. There are old window ACs in my project. Should all window ACs be removed?
3. As per my reference, only R-12 gas is CFC free. 4. Is R-22 refrigerant allowed even though it contributes to Global warming.
Response
GRIHA for Existing Building, Criterion 3 (Maintenance, Green Procurement and Waste management):
Please clarify if all ACs should also be HCFC free: To demonstrate compliance in GRIHA for Existing Buildings, in case of conditioned spaces all HVAC equipment should be CFC free. There are old window ACs in my project. Should all window ACs be removed?
If the project team intends to use the old HVAC systems that contain CFC based refrigerants, a phase-out plan for HCFC/CFC using equipment should be developed.
As per my reference, only R-12 gas is CFC free: All HCFC’s, HFC's and HFO's can be considered as CFC free gasses. A few common CFC free refrigerants that are widely used in Indian markets are R-134, R-410a, R-32 etc. Additionally, R-12 (Dichloro-difluoro-methane) is a CFC gas. Is R-22 refrigerant allowed even though it contributes to Global warming: All refrigerant gases (CFC, HCFC, HFC, HFO etc.) contribute to global warming to some extent. As per GRIHA Existing Building it is required to use CFC free HVAC equipment or phase out CFC refrigerants from HVAC systems. R-22 is a HCFC gas with a GWP 1,760 which is much less than the potential of common CFC gasses such as R-12 that has a GWP of 10,200 (as per AR5 of IPCC).