A worldwide first: Chinese manufacturer starts production of R290 room ACs

The first original equipment manufacturer worldwide that is applying hydrocarbon technology in room air-conditioners (ACs) has announced the official opening of its production line. The final product complies with international safety standards and exceeds the minimum efficiency requirements for air conditioners within many countries, including China, India, Australia, Europe and Brazil.

Chinese air conditioner manufacturer Gree Electric Appliances Inc announced the official opening of the production line for room air-conditioners running with natural refrigerant propane (R290) on 14 July 2011. The production line will manufacture approximately 100,000 units of hydrocarbon room air conditioners per year.

With China holding a market share of about 75% of the world production of air-conditioners, the completion of the production line will enable hydrocarbon technology to diffuse into the region but also worldwide and give an impulse to other air-conditioning manufacturers and markets to select sustainable hydrocarbon technology.

Ensuring product safety

All models conform to the international safety standard IEC 60335-2-40 (particular requirements for electrical heat pumps, air-conditioners and dehumidifiers) and are certified by the Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE), one of Europe’s largest technical and scientific associations. Moreover, the final product has been certified by global leader in independent testing TÜV and is compliant with European standards.

Minimal global warming impact

Besides being safe, the hydrocarbon product is also saving direct greenhouse gas emissions, as the hydrocarbon refrigerant has a negligible global warming potential and indirect greenhouse gas emissions thanks to energy savings of up to 15% compared with conventional appliances.

The R290 models score well in terms of energy efficiency in different parts of world, exceeding the minimum efficiency requirements for air-conditioners within many countries, such as:

Europe: achieve A-rated air-conditioner efficiency labelling and minimum efficiency of forthcoming Eco-design regulation
China: achieve Grade 2 rated energy efficiency label
India: achieve Bureau of Energy Efficiency five-star rating
Australia: exceed national minimum energy performance standards (MEPS)
Brazil: exceed national minimum energy performance standards (MEPS)

Background information

The project under which the production line has been set up is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety within the framework of the International Climate Initiative and is implemented by the programme Proklima by the German International Cooperation (GIZ).

Since 2008, Gree has worked on the development of the new air-conditioners with support from Proklima.