Johnson Controls has joined a White House roundtable discussion on actions toward a phase down of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. In its first 12 months of a three-year commitment, Johnson Controls reaffirmed its $50 million investment to developing and expanding its existing low-GWP product portfolio.

Since last year, the company invested $15 million in research and development (R&D) of low-GWP refrigerants and component technology for scroll, screw and centrifugal compressor-based products.

“A building’s heating and cooling systems account for approximately 40 percent of its yearly CO2 emissions. We can make an impact by improving the energy efficiency of the system to reduce power consumption as well as increasing the use of low-GWP refrigerants,” said Laura Wand, vice president, global chiller solutions at Johnson Controls’ buildings business. “Today’s commitment reaffirms our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a comprehensive approach providing safe, economical and available options for our customers.”

In addition to the investment disclosed at a roundtable meeting last October, Johnson Controls announced today that over the next 12 months the company will complete the following:

Develop high-efficiency, low-GWP refrigerant options in its commercial air-conditioning and industrial refrigeration product portfolio.

Offer equipment that can be readily retrofitted with low-GWP options for customers concerned that they will not receive the full value over the entire life of their equipment.

Develop aftermarket retrofit services for customers who desire to convert their existing equipment to low-GWP refrigerants.

In addition, the company will donate up to $100,000 toward independent, third-party, peer reviewed research to support the development safety standards related to the use of mildly flammable, low-GWP refrigerants. The company also plans to support and participate in an industry effort to develop and standardise service technician and operator training for the safe use of these same refrigerants.