Unico, the first* residential air conditioner operating with 100% reclaimed R410A
Comfort with a low environmental impact based on the principle of circular economy
The sustainability of products released on the market is a key issue for Olimpia Splendid which is focusing its technological innovation on solutions that can minimise the contribution to global warming. This is the case of refrigerants with low GWP (R32) and natural refrigerants (R290), introduced by the company in 2019 on its fixed and portable air conditioners and dehumidifiers, which will also be rolled out during 2020 to the air conditioners with no external unit and the split and monobloc heat pumps.
Olimpia Splendid is already one of the founding members – since 2006 - of two major consortiums (Ridomus and Ecoped), which over time have developed increasingly effective solutions for the management and recovery of all the waste generated by the disposal of home comfort devices, such as air conditioners and small appliances.
2020 will mark another important step forward in a new direction which widens the company’s focus from managing “end of life” to creating the product.
The regenerated refrigerant
Olimpia Splendid intends to start applying the principles of a circular economy, based on reusing raw materials which, instead of being disposed of, are regenerated and given a new life. To do so, the company is introducing the R410A refrigerant into its flagship residential range: a refrigerant recovered from existing systems which undergoes an industrial process to return it to its original state. This decision has a two-fold effect. On the one hand, it reduces the environmental impact of the product (avoiding the disposal of exhausted refrigerant gas by producing a new one). And on the other, it raises awareness in the public to a new more virtuous approach. If consumers take a positive view of the initiative by Olimpia Splendid, we are sure that other manufacturers will follow our example, so the demand for regenerated gas will increase, further stimulating the circular economy in the world of air conditioning.
The Unico models involved
Currently, 3 models are involved in this new approach. Unico Air Inverter 10 SF C and 10 HP, i.e. the slimline air conditioners without an external unit (only 16 cm in depth), which have already been met with public approval thanks to their international award-winning Italian design. And Unico Inverter 12 HP, the powerful air conditioner providing comfort all year round. There is a standard 3-year warranty included with these models and all the products in the Olimpia Splendid air conditioning range.
*as at 21st January 2020, survey of public information sources conducted by Olimpia Splendid.
