Clean cool

Updated environmental regulations over fluorinated gases (F-gases) are driving significant changes in the manufacture of products which use refrigerants.

New rules which came into effect at the beginning of this year in the US, the UK and the EU have limited the manufacture or import of products that use a regulated substance with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 700 or greater. This includes the refrigerant R-410A, the most common type used in the recreational boating industry for items like HVAC systems and food storage products. Manufacturers have limited time to exhaust their existing inventories of product built using R-410A before those units can no longer be sold. Sell-through periods vary based on product specifics, with expiry dates ranging from December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2027.

A number of appliance manufacturers serving the recreational boat building industry are ahead of the curve with new product that not only utilises more sustainable refrigerant options, but leverages newer engineering and manufacturing techniques to improve overall efficiency while simultaneously reducing both product cost and installation complexity.

Dometic, for example, has introduced several new upgrades to its line of climate control products in the course of making the switch from the former R410A refrigerant to its more sustainable R-454B and R-32 replacements. “We saw this as an opportunity to not only improve the product from a sustainability perspective, but to introduce additional features through the installation of new control boards,” said Dometic Marine president, Eric Fetchko. “These new boards have advanced functionality including improved humidity control, network communication connectivity, and new displays. So apart from delivering greater sustainability, the new product also brings advanced innovations that deliver expanded capabilities.”

Fetchko adds that the new R-454B refrigerant now used in Dometic’s marine air conditioning systems reduces GWP by 78% compared to the previous industry standard, R-410A, setting what he calls “a new standard for responsibility and sustainability” in the industry. “Currently we’ve changed over all of our self-contained products, and we are in the process of changing our chiller product lines,” he said. “This represents a significant capital investment at the factory, and an investment in engineering hours modifying and testing equipment. But it’s the right thing to do, and we’ve been able to achieve this transition while minimising cost impacts on the products.

“This is not a small change; it is technically challenging to assure the same performance and life with a new refrigerant. It represents re-engineering both hardware and software, as well as developing a completely new charging system and safety ventilation upgrades at the factory. But we’ve done this, and it demonstrates our company-wide commitment to build and support the best solutions for the industry while meeting global sustainability goals. Dometic will continue to work closely with trade groups like the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the American Boat and Yacht Council to develop safe, sustainable solutions moving forward.”

THE SCALABLE APPROACH

Webasto introduced its new BlueCool VX series chiller system with R-32 refrigerant in the summer of 2024, with units delivering outputs of 36, 48, 60 and 72 kBTU/h and a heating capacity of up to 78,000 BTU/h in reverse operation. More recently, the firm has added a three-phase, 208-volt version of the BlueCool VX 72M for the North American market, and a VX 120M model with a 120 kBTU/h output capacity able to handle yachts to 35 metres in length.

The company says that the modular concept of the BlueCool VX series allows up to six units to be combined in a network, allowing a potential maximum output of up to 720 kBTU/h. With an energy efficiency ratio of up to 5.6, the VX product family is described as among the most economical chiller systems in its class. An integrated MyTouch display provides a user-friendly interface, multilanguage support, and water flow monitoring for sea and chilled water circuits. In combination with the VX-system bus, the improved display allows individual units to be controlled centrally.

“The BlueCool VX-Series is (an important) part of Webasto’s sustainability initiative,” said vice president of battery and thermo management, Jörg Hornung. “We have considered along the entire process chain how we can keep the CO2 footprint of the new products as low as possible. This starts with the design and the conscious selection of materials and ends with the final devices, which bring our customers a high level of efficiency and performance on their boat. Our new air conditioning solutions prove that a combination of sustainability and top performance is absolutely possible. Our customers also benefit from a global dealer and support network that is available to them around the clock.”

COLD AS ICE

Also introducing new chilling products using more ecologically sustainable refrigerants this year is New Jersey, US-based Raritan Engineering, which says its new Icer-Ette Model 88 ice maker utilises the R-600A refrigerant, an HFC-free product with no ozone depletion potential, to meet more stringent GWP requirements soon coming into effect.

The compact unit is offered in both 120-volt and 240-volt variants, and in a choice of surface mount or flange mount configurations in order to suit a wide variety of vessels and installation options, according to the firm. The unit consumes 2-3/4 gallons of fresh water per day to create up to 21 pounds of “restaurant quality” ice in crescent-shaped cubes. An 11-pound storage bin comes with the unit to ensure an ample supply.

Raritan Engineering president and CEO, Bret Bretnall, notes the Icer-Ette 88 is built specifically for harsh marine environments with an ability to handle constant exposure to salty air and humidity. The cabinet, door, hinges and hardware are all formed from quality corrosion-resistant materials.

“The model 88’s use of R-600a refrigerant is a wise choice that aligns with both environmental best practices and upcoming regulatory requirements,” says Bretnall. “This move fully aligns with forthcoming EPA regulations while demonstrating our unwavering commitment towards protecting nature. It ensures reduced ozone depletion potential and marks an important step forward in achieving sustainability within the maritime industry. By choosing this environmentally friendly option, we minimise any negative impact on ozone depletion levels, ensuring that future generations can enjoy a healthier planet.”