Concerns about climate change have led to worldwide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One result has been new attention to the global warming potential (GWP) of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants and research on better alternatives is underway. However, to date, these alternatives are not fully ready and the best solution remains to be HFC.

Johnson Controls is also investing heavily to develop better alternatives that will be introduced to the market only after careful testing. A responsible refrigerant stewardship model would need to consider the following factors:

• Efficiency and sustainability
  For refrigerants, the direct effect is indicated by the GWP rating and occurs only when refrigerant leaks into the atmosphere. Improvements in manufacturing, technology, and design — along with changes to service practices, education, have significantly reduced the risk of leakage. Instead, the indirect effect of refrigerants, i.e. emissions that result from generating the electricity used by the equipment, is much larger. Hence energy efficiency of the system can be an even more important consideration.
   
• Safety and reliability
  Flammability and toxicity of the refrigerant will influence occupant concerns, local code approvals, handling, servicing, storage, need for protective gear, property insurance, etc. The next generation of refrigerants includes some that are classified as being mildly flammable.
   
• Availability and affordability
  New refrigerants are less available thus more expensive. There are also less trained service technicians who can properly handle the refrigerants.

Within buildings, heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) systems account for up to 40 percent of energy use. Regular maintenance of your building’s chiller system can improve chiller performance and extend its lifespan by several years. This helps building owners and operators reduce emissions through increased energy efficiency, and achieve significant cost savings over the lifetime of the system.

Johnson Controls reaffirmed its US$50 million investment to expanding its existing low-GWP product portfolio. The company will also develop aftermarket retrofit services and offer equipment that can be readily retrofitted with low-GWP options.

Building Control Manager 2.0, developed for light commercial facilities and buildings, features an improved user interface and new productivity tools that reduces time required to create the engineering database and configure the user interface by up to 50 percent.

Johnson Controls’ new headquarters being built in Shanghai has been awarded the first-ever “Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency” (EDGE) design-phase certification for an office building in China.