Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new range of air conditioning units utilising the new refrigerant R32 which will be available at the same price as the equivalent R410A units. 

The R32 Mr Slim Power Inverter split type models are the second product range in the company’s UK line-up to utilise R32 refrigerant – which has a low global warming potential (GWP). 
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“We have kept the price exactly the same as our current R410A Mr Slim Power Inverter line up as we see this eliminating a big hurdle in the adoption of this new refrigerant, which is an important change to help combat global warming,” explains Carl Dickinson on behalf of the company.

“Anyone planning on using, designing or installing air conditioning in the coming years will now need to take into account the GWP of the system to meet the requirements of the F-Gas Regulations,” adds Dickinson.

In March 2014, the European Parliament passed the 2014 EU F-Gas Regulation legislation with the key objective of reducing F-Gas emissions by 79% between 2015 and 2030. The overall intention is to cut the availability of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with a high GWP. 

The F-Gas Regulations will have a major impact on the air conditioning sector and any option for the next generation of refrigerant gas must be able to meet the demands of this stringent legislation in reducing the environmental impact of HFCs. 

R32 has a GWP of 675 compared to R410A refrigerant which has a GWP of 2,088 and Dickinson sees this as an important reason why the market is expected to move quickly to the new refrigerant: “Not only will this help businesses demonstrate what they are doing to help the environment, the use of R32 also allows the Mr Slim units to offer increased efficiency compared to equivalent R410A models.”

Mitsubishi Electric is first to the UK market with such an expansive line-up and the new R32 Mr Slim Power Inverter models have been built specifically for the new refrigerant.  

The range includes ten outdoor units offering single-phase and 3-phase options, with a capacity range from 3.5 to 14kW.  25 individual indoor units are also available as ceiling cassettes, ceiling concealed ducted, wall-mounted and ceiling suspended models.  Mr Slim Power Inverters are also available in twin and triple multi-split configurations delivering complete flexibility for system designers.

The Mr Slim R32 Power Inverter models bring together the latest technology, whilst maintaining the familiarity of the current Mr Slim Power Inverter range as Dickinson explains: “The size, look, feel and controls for the new R32 models remain the same as existing R410A Power Inverter models so that changing over to R32 will be as easy as possible for building owners.

“We have recognised that familiarity is important for global brands, such as high street retailers that need to ensure consistency of design, whatever size of building they operate,” he adds, “this should make it easier for companies that want to embrace R32 to show how they are helping combat global warming.”

Not only do the systems offer better performance at the same price, they also offer longer pipe runs with 100 metres available on the 10kW, 12.5kW and 14kW models – 25 metres longer than the equivalent R410A versions and the longest currently available on the market. This includes a 30-metre lift that is unique in the UK. The longer pipe runs are designed to make Mr Slim R32 even more flexible and allow systems to be installed where previous site restrictions would not allow. 

Mr Slim R32 Power Inverter models are available in twin and triple split configurations and offer full heating capacity down to -3ºC. The range also includes Mitsubishi Electric’s unique Replace technology which can utilise existing pipework, making it ideal for office and retail refurbishments. 

“R32 units have already been available in Japan for over two years now and we have taken that knowledge and experience and refined it to develop this advanced line-up, which improves efficiency, increases pipe runs and adds other benefits too,” explains Dickinson.

The new R32 Mr Slim line-up is available from July 2017 and further information is available on the dedicated website www.timeforr32.co.uk/pr4, which also includes product information sheets, videos and infographics on the background to the introduction of R32 refrigerant and our products.