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Pioneer International is relying on solar energy to take the energy efficiency of split system air conditioning units to a whole new level.

The company has successfully combined hydrocarbon refrigerants and solar power to deliver a standard of energy efficiency in air conditioning never seen before.

Pioneer International has partnered with Superior Air Conditioning and KDV Homes to roll-out the new technology to a residential development in Sydney's west.

They had been trying to successfully use solar as the main power source for air conditioning units for the past five years.

Superior Air Conditioning director, Richard Bencic, said they tried using solar with Japanese branded units and ended up damaging the inverter.

He said it only worked using a Pioneer hydrocarbon 16kW ducted unit.

“What is so fascinating about this project is that every other brand that we tried used more than 5kW of power,” Bencic said.

“Yet here we were on a hot 41 degree Celsius summer day when we commissioned the Pioneer unit and it only used 2.4kW of power plus the lights were on in the house.

“Despite the heat outside, the temperature inside maintained a perfect 22 degrees Celsius; the results were truly astounding.”

Bencic said the good news is that Pioneer is an Australian company and it has the worldwide patent on the solution.

Pioneer International managing director, George Haydock, said he is excited about the results as it is the way forward for a net zero energy future.

“HVAC is central to the pursuit of lower energy footprints especially if Australian buildings and residential housing developments are going to reach a net zero energy target,” Haydock said.

“Combining natural refrigerants and renewable power generation is the only way forward if Australia is serious about reducing emissions.”

Diversified Property Group sales and marketing director, Abdul Khan, said the unit is currently being used in a 262 square metre home.

“I am still trying to get my head around the fact that the unit's power source is completely solar, and the results are amazing,” Khan said.

“We switched on heating for the first time recently and the entire house was warm in 30 minutes, we had to switch it off.”

The national technical manager of refrigeration & product solutions at Totaline Australia, Gajanan Bhalerao, said the wholesaler is taking a proactive approach to supporting energy efficient products and low GWP refrigerants.

“We are committed to supporting the environment and taking the initiative by supplying equipment that increases energy efficiency, reduces emissions and provides financial relief to Australian households; imagine saving hundreds of dollars on your electricity bills,” he said.

Describing it as a marketplace revolution, Bhalerao said Totaline is introducing R290 package rooftop units, R290 package refrigeration units and solar powered Pioneer air conditioning units and backing it up with training programs on safety and how to use natural refrigerants.

“We are taking a step in the right direction which is going to help set a footprint for the future of this industry and generations to come,” he said.

Just last year Haydock undertook a rooftop chiller retrofit at Market Fair Shopping Centre in Campbelltown which is delivering capital cost savings of $1 million and 50 per cent energy savings using HC refrigerants.