In addition to performance and reliability, it’s crucial to look at the following 4 criteria comparing two large similar capacity multi-pipe units:

We will illustrate each criterion with the following:

• Trane Sintesis™ Balance Multi-pipe unit with SCROLL compressors and R454B
• A multi-pipe unit with SCREW compressors and R134a
  
  

1 - REFRIGERANTS

R454B offers 65% reduction in direct #GWP impact against R134a. The atmospheric lifetime of R134a is 14 years (IPCC AR6), which results in a long-lasting global warming impact if the refrigerant gets into the atmosphere.

R454B is clearly the carbon-conscious choice.

2 - SUSTAINABILITY

Trane Adaptive Refrigerant System™, a proprietary Trane technology on Sintesis™ Balance, automatically optimizes refrigerant charge and sub-cooling in each operating mode and varying temperature conditions, delivering additional performance and efficiency gains. Other Multi-pipe units do not have this technology.

3 - RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND INSTALLATION COSTS

Compared to multi-pipe units with screw compressors operating with R134a refrigerant, the Trane Sintesis Balance multi-pipe is on average 45% smaller and weighs substantially less. Both lead to real reduction of installation costs (smaller and lighter foundation/sub-frame, lighter crane to rent, etc.)

4 - HEATING OPERATING MAP

In other words, this is the boundaries in which the multi-pipe is designed to optimally operate in heat pump mode.

The Trane Sintesis Balance multi-pipe with R454B can operate in colder ambient air conditions (down to -18°C) than the multi-pipe with screw compressors and R134a (only down to -12/-15°C).  It can also produce hotter water – up to 68°C, whereas the screw multi-pipe is limited to 61°C.

Learn more about Trane Sintesis™ Balance multi-pipe units