Performance of R433A for replacing HCFC22 used in residential air-conditioners and heat pumps

In this study, thermodynamic performance of R433A and HCFC22 is measured in a heat pump bench tester under air-conditioning and heat pumping conditions. R433A has no ozone depletion potential and very low greenhouse warming potential of less than 5. R433A also offers a similar vapor pressure to HCFC22 for possible ‘drop-in’ replacement. Test results showed that the coefficient of performance of R433A is 4.9–7.6% higher than that of HCFC22 while the capacity of R433A is 1.0–5.5% lower than that of HCFC22 for both conditions. The compressor discharge temperature of R433A is 22.6–27.9 °C lower than that of HCFC22 while the amount of charge for R433A is 57.0–57.7% lower than that of HCFC22 due to its low density. Overall, R433A is a good long term environmentally friendly alternative to replace HCFC22 in residential air-conditioners and heat pumps due to its excellent thermodynamic and environmental properties with minor adjustments.