Daikin Slashes GHG Emissions
Company Aims to Reduce GHG Emissions in 2020 to 25 Percent of Its 2005 Levels
HOUSTON — Daikin North America and its subsidiary, Goodman Mfg. Co., have announced a commitment to help slash greenhouse gas emissions by developing low-GWP (global warming potential) air conditioners and/or heat pumps. Daikin aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 to one-quarter of its 2005 emissions. The manufacturer plans to introduce a full product line of lower-GWP refrigerant air conditioners and heat pumps after working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other stakeholders to permit these refrigerants in both building codes and the Clean Air Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP).
The Daikin commitment was announced during a White House event where the Obama administration announced a series of voluntary commitments by the HVAC industry, plus some of the country’s largest chemical firms and retailers, to move rapidly away from R-134a and similar compounds used in U.S. offices, homes, and automobiles.
Developing the next generation of air conditioning technologies would shrink emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which scientists say are up to 10,000 times more potent than CO2 and are helping to drive climate change. Without action, such as the one Daikin announced, HFC emissions in the U.S. are expected to nearly double by 2020 and triple by 2030.
“Daikin and Goodman are taking an aggressive leading role to expedite the adoption of safety codes and standards that establish reasonable requirements for the use of lower-GWP alternatives to replace the high-GWP substances now in use throughout our industry,” said Takeshi Ebisu, president and CEO, Daikin North America.
In addition, Daikin is opening its basic technology patents of R-32, a Daikin-developed refrigerant that significantly reduces climate impacts from the air conditioning sector.
Publication date: 10/6/2014
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