The Role of R-32 in Türkiye's Climate Policies in Terms of Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 4, 1567 - 1589, 29.12.2025

Sesil Çekmeceli , Abdulkadir Bektaş , Ali Yurddaş

https://doi.org/10.58559/ijes.1790454

Öz

This study presents a comparative analysis of the performance of R-410A, a widely used refrigerant in residential split-type air conditioning systems, and R-32, a low-GWP alternative. Experimental findings indicate that R-32 provides approximately 10–15% higher energy efficiency and has a global warming potential (GWP) three times lower than that of R-410A. These advantages contribute to both reducing direct emissions and mitigating indirect CO₂ emissions through lower electricity consumption. However, as R-32 is classified as an A2L refrigerant (mildly flammable), compliance with international safety standards such as EN 378 and ISO 5149 is required.
From a policy perspective, the findings align with Türkiye's climate commitments, including the Paris Agreement, the Kigali Amendment, and the Climate Law enacted in 2025, which formalised the national target of net-zero emissions by 2053. The adoption of R-32 is therefore a strategic measure for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the country's Emissions Trading System (ETS) and compliance with the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Overall, the results demonstrate that R-32 can serve as a transitional refrigerant in Türkiye's air-conditioning sector, providing technical, environmental, and economic benefits. Additionally, its adoption can enhance energy security, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and support national climate change goals. Further research should focus on long-term performance under various climatic conditions, life cycle climate performance (LCCP), and pathways toward natural refrigerants, such as R-290 and CO₂.

Anahtar Kelimeler

R-32 , GWP , Climate Policy , Kigali Amendment , ETS

Enerji Verimliliği ve Sera Gazı Azaltımı Açısından Türkiye'nin İklim Politikalarında R-32'nin Rolü

Öz

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de yaygın olarak kullanılan konut tipi split klima sistemlerinde R-410A ve düşük küresel ısınma potansiyeline (GWP) sahip alternatiflerden biri olan R-32 soğutucu akışkanın performansını karşılaştırmalı olarak incelemektedir. Deneysel bulgular, R-32’nin R-410A’ya kıyasla yaklaşık %10–15 daha yüksek enerji verimliliği sağladığını ve küresel ısınma potansiyelinin üç kat daha düşük olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu avantaj, hem doğrudan emisyonların azaltılmasına hem de elektrik tüketiminin düşürülmesiyle dolaylı CO₂ emisyonlarının kontrol altına alınmasına katkı sağlamaktadır. Bununla birlikte, A2L sınıfında (hafif yanıcı) yer alan R-32’nin güvenli kullanımı için EN 378 ve ISO 5149 gibi uluslararası standartlara uyum zorunludur.
Politika boyutunda, elde edilen bulgular Türkiye’nin Paris Anlaşması, Kigali Değişikliği ve 2025 yılında yürürlüğe giren İklim Kanunu kapsamındaki yükümlülükleriyle uyum göstermektedir. R-32’nin benimsenmesi, ulusal Emisyon Ticaret Sistemi (ETS) ve Avrupa Birliği Sınırda Karbon Düzenleme Mekanizması (CBAM) ile uyumlu biçimde, sera gazı azaltım hedeflerine ulaşmada stratejik bir araç olarak öne çıkmaktadır.
Sonuçlar, R-32’nin Türkiye’nin iklimlendirme sektöründe geçiş dönemi için uygun bir düşük GWP’li alternatif olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Bu bulgular, enerji verimliliği, iklim politikaları ve sürdürülebilirlik hedefleri doğrultusunda hem mühendislik uygulamaları hem de politika yapıcılar için yol gösterici veriler sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

R-32 , GWP , İklim Kanunu , Kiagali Değişikliği , ETS

Kaynakça

• [1] Abdelaziz O, Shrestha S, Linkous R. Alternative refrigerant evaluation for high ambient temperature environments. ASHRAE Transactions, 2015; 121(2): 405–414.
• [2] Bella B, Kaemmer N, Brignoli R, Zilio C. Energy efficiency of a chiller using R410A or R32. 15th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, Paper 1453. Purdue University, 2014.
• [3] Çekmeceli S. Experimental investigation of the energy efficiency and environmental impacts of R-32 and R-410A refrigerants in residential air conditioning systems. Master's Thesis, Manisa Celal Bayar University, 2025.
• [4] Demirci E, Özkaymak M, Koşan M, Akkoç AE, Aktaş M. Developments in the use of natural refrigerants. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences, 2020; 6(3): 184–199.
• [5] Hu S, Yang X, Zhang L. Emissions of F-gases from room air conditioners in China and scenarios to 2060. Energy and Buildings, 2023; 299: 113561.
• [6] In S, Cho H, Kim Y. Performance test of a residential heat pump after partial substitution of R410A with R32. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2014; 72(2): 233–240.
• [7] IPCC. IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2006.
• [8] IPCC. Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report. Cambridge University Press, 2022.
• [9] Lakshmanan S, Krishnan R, Patel M. Mitigation potential of banned hydrofluorocarbons towards global warming—An assessment of Kigali Amendment in the Indian scenario. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2023; 428: 139315.
• [10] Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (ETKB) Türkiye National Energy Plan, Ankara, 2023a.
• [11] Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (ETKB). Türkiye Hydrogen Technologies Strategy and Roadmap, 2023–2030. Ankara, 2023b.
• [12] Mota-Babiloni A, Makhnatch P. Predictions of European refrigerants' place on the market following F-gas regulation restrictions. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2021; 127: 101–110.
• [13] Park WY, Shah N, Phadke A. Ensuring the climate benefits of the Montreal Protocol: Global governance architecture for cooling efficiency and alternative refrigerants. Energy Research & Social Science, 2021; 76: 102068.
• [14] Purohit P, Höglund-Isaksson L, Dulac J, Shah N, Wei M, Rafaj P, Schöpp W. Electricity savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions from global phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2020; 20(19): 11305–11327.
• [15] Grand National Assembly of Türkiye [TBMM]. Climate Law (Law No. 7552). Official Gazette, 9 July 2025.
• [16] Schultz K, Perez-Blanco ME. Soft-Optimised Tests of a 4-RT Unitary Rooftop Heat Pump with R410A, DR-55, and R32. AHRI Low-GWP AREP Final Report No. 056, 6–7. Arlington, VA: Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, 2015.
• [17] Sovacool BK, Griffiths S, Kim J, Bazilian M. Climate change and industrial F-gases: A critical and systematic review of developments, sociotechnical systems and policy options for reducing synthetic greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2021, 141: 110759.
• [19] TOBB. Türkiye Air Conditioning Industry Sector Report. Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges, Ankara, 2015.
• [20] UNEP. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. United Nations Environment Programme, 2016.
• [21] UNEP. Assessment Report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP). Montreal Protocol, United Nations Environment Programme, 2022.
• [22] Wu J, Li N, Chen Y. Banks, emissions, and environmental impacts of China's ozone-depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbon substitutes during 1980–2020. Science of The Total Environment, 2023; 882: 163586.
• [23] Xu Y, Zaelke D, Velders GJM. The role of HFCs in mitigating 21st century climate change. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2013; 13(12): 6083–6091.
• [24] Xu X, Hwang Y, Radermacher R. Performance comparison of R410A and R32 in a vapour injection cycle. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2013; 36(3): 892-903.
• [25] Yalın H, Coşkun A, Atmaca İ. Analysis of Heat Recovery Device Performance in Air Conditioning with 100% Fresh Air Depending on Climate Type. Journal of Technical Sciences, 2022; 12(2): 36–42.
• [26] Zaki OM, Abdelaziz O. Critical assessment of R410A alternatives for mini- split air conditioners in the Egyptian market. Energy and Built Environment, 2024; 5(3): 426–445.