The world of refrigeration is changing…

In addition to energy savings, reduced costs and reliability, customers are now looking for environmentally friendly solutions.

Panasonic UK has selected specialist and experienced refrigeration company ‘Green Cooling’ to become one of its launch UK distributors to bring its range of natural CO2 condensing refrigeration units to the UK market.

The range has been specifically developed for small to medium capacity applications within the retail and food service sectors and is particularly suited for installations in small supermarkets, convenience stores and garage forecourt retail operations. Furthermore, the range is also ideally suited to provide refrigeration within the restaurant and hotel sectors.

Panasonic has much expertise in this market, in Japan these CO2 condensing units have been installed since 2010 in over 6,600 applications, are well proven and have demonstrated reliable and efficient performance. Panasonic are now delighted to bring this technology to the UK.

By combining reliability and efficiency, with the natural refrigerant CO2, the range removes any risk of future costs associated with the F-Gas refrigerant phase out whilst also minimising energy use and operating costs.

Garry Broadbent, Commercial Director of Green Cooling explains as to why businesses should switch to using CO2 as a refrigerant. “CO2 is a highly efficient, safe and natural form of refrigeration technology, this Panasonic CO2 condensing range is able to deliver on both cost and carbon savings. Based on Panasonic monitored data, 16% energy savings for chilled refrigeration and 25% energy savings for lower temperature freezer applications have been achieved in comparison to R404A. *.”

Garry further advises “Flexibility of installation and reliability are the key to success. In the retail and food service sectors, a very high standard of equipment is required to deliver reliable performance. The Panasonic range achieves this with a focus on efficiency, low noise and reliability”.

With changes to the F-Gas regulations coming into force alongside reducing carbon emissions and energy costs becoming key drivers for change in refrigeration systems, both specifiers and end users are recognising the need to consider CO2 as a refrigerant.

Neil Bilton, Head of Key Accounts at Panasonic UK explains more about the benefits “The new Panasonic CO2 condensing units use a natural refrigerant that has a GWP (Global Warming Potential) equal to 1 as opposed to the current refrigerant typically used such as R404A having a GWP equal to 3,800. With refrigeration legislation increasing over the coming years, HFC R404A will be out of circulation by 2020. Given the above, and to minimise future risk to businesses, CO2 seems to be the best way to go for refrigeration needs.”

David Blinkhorn, Technical Director of Green Cooling has been at the forefront of European CO2 development; he designed the first CO2 installation within a large scale food service application in 2010 at the Café Royal Hotel in Piccadilly and due to this high level of experience is well positioned to support the application of the Panasonic range.

The Panasonic CO2 condensing units come in two sizes at 4kW and 15kW (both at -10oC evaporating temperature), the units are compact, lightweight and have very low noise levels.
Garry Broadbent, Commercial Director of Green Cooling further explains that a good system design provides “efficiency, value and energy savings. The Panasonic CO2 refrigeration systems provide all of these, whilst also delivering high levels of sustainability and future proofing an application against the effects of the F-Gas regulations.”
The units are a practical and straightforward method of installation with complete design support available through the distributor network.
For more information, please visit www.aircon.panasonic.eu or contact Green Cooling at www.greencooling.co.uk.

*Monitored within a 5°C to 27°C ambient 12-month operating period. Compared to R404A