A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) has shown that switching to propane as a refrigerant of ACs can reduce the rise in global temperature. According to the report, the use of space coolers increases in cities around the world during the summer season. Most of these are used in AC, even in split AC. It is estimated that the electricity consumed in the summer is about one-tenth of the electricity supply in the world. If this trend continues, the energy demand for space coolers will triple by 2050. The increase in energy consumption and the variety of space coolers will also increase the risk to the environment.
Split-air conditioners (Split ACs) that use a single indoor and outdoor air unit connected by pipes are the most common equipment used for space-cooling. They mostly use HCFC-22 and HFC-410 as refrigerants. Both refrigerants have a high global warming potential. The temperature of our atmosphere increases as these refrigerants generate 2,256 times more heat than carbon dioxide in 100 years.
Researchers tested all refrigerants, in which propane proved to be the best solution. The report says propane can technically be used in split-ACs up to 7 kW. Although split-ACs using propane are available in the market, they are not being used that way. The lead researcher of the study, Pallav highlighted the same and emphasized that there is a need to take action quickly to meet the goals of climate neutrality.
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
