Sustainable A/C Would Run on CO2

Are you doing anything next week? No? Because there's a conference in Phoenix where auto manufacturers will be discussing the future of car air conditioning that sounds like a can't-miss.

In all seriousness, the future of the A/C unit has become a topic of conversation as car companies try to decide which direction to go with the next generation of technology. Years ago, automakers came under fire for using an ozone-depleting refrigerant called R-12, which was soon replaced by R-134a.

One of the more interesting options that will be on the table in Phoenix is the idea for a sustainable A/C system that would run off carbon dioxide (that same stuff that has Al Gore so concerned). In fact, the German Automotive Association is already moving ahead with plans to use CO2 in the next car A/C units.

However, Dupont and Honywell are proposing a switch to a new chemical, HFO 1234-yf (aren't chemical names just the coolest?). However, this refrigerant is less efficient and has more, shall we say, "flammability issues" than its predecessor. This makes us wonder why on earth car companies would want to make the change, although presumably it is cheaper (because otherwise, why even consider it?).

Automakers Work on Sustainable Air Conditioning (AutoblogGreen)

Comments

"...flammability issues..."

Come on, what could possibly go wrong?

just got to love the possbility of less efficient. Anything to say money

and running on co2 be good or bad for the carbon footprint? does it take it from the air/car? and does it mean that it will use less gas and give us higher mpgs?