US retailers shift their focus on natural refrigerant-based condensing units

US retailers in recent times are demanding natural refrigerant-based condensing unit technologies, according to the recent report. The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) has surveyed 13 food retailers representing more than 17,000 US locations to characterize the retailer demand for natural refrigerant-based condensing units. The report says that the retailers mostly prefer CO2 and the propane-based condensing unit.

The report demonstrates the strong demand for natural refrigerant-based condensing unit technologies in the US, with 100 percent participating retailers indicating interest in these units. Retailers have suggested using CO2-based condensing units to serve medium temperature with the refrigerated display cases. This also includes other natural condensing units, which the retailers have preferred.

NASRC recognizes that the transitioning away from HFCs to natural refrigerants is expensive, and retailers require a cost-effective and modular technology option that allows them to migrate their refrigeration loads and displace the existing system over time. The load type and corresponding capacity ranges (MBTUs) and other mediums can also reduce the cost. The real challenge is how to accelerate missions' reduction in the 38,000 stores that currently exist in the USA.