USA: A new study has revealed an increasing acceptance of CO2 as an alternative to HFC refrigerants in the USA.
Among OEMs responding to a recent online poll conducted by Danfoss, 84% affirmed CO2 as a viable alternative refrigerant in certain applications, such as supermarkets, industrial refrigeration, transport refrigeration and vending.

The preliminary poll, 'CO2 Industry Indicator,' was designed to gauge industry's readiness for CO2 in subcritical and transcritical refrigeration systems. The poll gathered input from OEMs, consultants, contractors and end users to estimate the level and rate at which CO2 systems are already being deployed in the United States. Final respondent data comprised 36% contractors, 30% end users, 21% OEMs and 13% consultants.

According to the survey, the deployment of CO2 systems is motivated by a variety of factors, including the demand for greater energy efficiency (25%) and the potential for HFC phasedown and other regulations (24%). Consultants and end users also noted the importance of CO2 as a means by which to meet and employ corporate sustainability initiatives, with the improvement of public image a key concern. US contractors, on the other hand, found the safety of CO2 to be highly desirable.

As in Europe, the main barriers to implementing the technology was initial system costs (32%) and contractors' lack of familiarity with the technology (40%). Consultants and end users also acknowledged a concern about platform stability, including operation at higher ambient temperatures.