Grenada Installs its First Natural Refrigerant AC System

Friday July 6th, 2018: Grenada, being one of the early ratifiers of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, is moving steadfastly to phase down the use of fluorinated, high global warming potential gases in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.

Under the project “Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change”, executed by the National Ozone Unit (NOU), thirty (30) air-conditioning units have been provided by the German government through GIZ, to promote the use of nattural refrigerants and energy efficiency in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.  Ultimately the project would reduce Co2 emissions related to energy consumption thereby assisting the country in meeting its Co2 reduction commitments . Public and private sector entities have been selected to participate in the project.

The Grenada Customs and Excise Division is the first beneficiary of these AC units.  On Friday July 6th, 2018, a low global warming potential (GWP) 18,000 BTU, R-290 mini-split air condition unit was installed at the office of the Deputy Comptroller of Customs, to replace the high GWP, HFC-410A, that was previously installed.  From early indications, the energy performance of the unit is very impressive.  Energy and temperature monitors have also been installed on the equipment to monitor performance for the next four weeks.

The program of installation of the new units in the participating institutions will continue during the upcoming weeks.  The before and after data will be collected and analyzed.  This information
would then be used to drive a robust public awareness campaign to promote the use of air-condition units using natural refrigerants – R-290.

On hand to receive the new unit and to express the gratitude of the Customs Department was Deputy Comptroller of Customs, with responsibility for Airport, Accounts and Building Maintenance,  Mr. Shane Derby.