HVAC Breaking News

Sept. 24, 2014: Ingersoll Rand Commits to Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Half by 2020

Company to Invest $500 Million in Product R&D to Fund Long-Term Reduction in Emissions

NEW YORK — Ingersoll Rand announced that it is committing at the 2014 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting and United Nations Climate Summit to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2020. The company said its commitment will avoid the same amount of CO2 emissions that can result from powering nearly 2 million homes for a year.

Ingersoll Rand, whose family of brands includes the HVAC brand Trane and the transport refrigeration brand Thermo King, said the commitment will increase energy efficiency and reduce the company’s climate impact with product-related and operational targets, including:

1. A 50 percent reduction in the greenhouse gas refrigerant footprint of its products by 2020 and lower global warming potential alternatives across its portfolio by 2030;

2. A $500 million investment in product-related research and development over the next five years to fund the long-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and

3. A 35 percent reduction in the greenhouse gas footprint of the company’s office buildings, manufacturing facilities, and fleet by 2020.

“Energy efficiency requires action now and can be the most effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Michael W. Lamach, chairman and chief executive officer of Ingersoll Rand. “We are leading our industry toward a more sustainable world and are signaling to our customers, employees, and shareholders that our future products will match our legacy of efficient, reliable, and sustainable solutions. When we create more sustainable choices, improve our operating footprint globally and continue to develop lower greenhouse gas emission options, our customers — and the climate — benefit.”

Ingersoll Rand said it will introduce products across its industrial and climate product portfolio that are significantly more energy and operationally efficient. The company’s climate brands, Trane and Thermo King, will introduce products over the next five years that use refrigerants with lower global warming potential and fit into the environmental plans of customers without compromising safety, performance, and efficiency.

The company is committed to addressing all factors that contribute to its products’ greenhouse gas emissions: energy consumption and refrigerant charge, leakage and technology. Although HVAC and transport refrigeration products are designed to prevent leaks, products can sometimes leak refrigerant during manufacturing or shipping — or during or following installation from loose joints and from repetitive service. Ingersoll Rand will standardize its approach to minimizing refrigerant leakage in product design and reliability, manufacturing, and servicing practices.

Looking for quick answers on air conditioning, heating and refrigeration topics? Try Ask ACHR NEWS, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ACHR NEWS