Meriton, one of the biggest names in residential development in Australia, has introduced hydrocarbons to its latest projects in Sydney’s west.
At Riva Parramatta, which is a boutique riverfront apartment complex in a 12-storey building, Meriton has replaced R22 units with 157 split systems provided by Pioneer International.
The units are specifically designed to use hydrocarbons and have delivered outstanding efficiency results with energy and CO2 emission reduction circa 400,000 kg pa. Over a 10 year period this equates to a reduction of circa 5 million kg/CO2.
The hydrocarbon refrigerant, which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3, has been provided by an Australian based manufacturer.
The second Meriton development to introduce natural refrigerants is Eminence, a 15-storey tower with 254 apartments based in Zetland, an inner-city suburb of Sydney which is part of the City of Sydney municipality.
CCN understands the carbon emission reduction to be circa 800,000 CO2 kg pa once the project is completed, circa 8 million kg/CO2 over 10 years.
The benefits to customers of these reduced carbon emissions using hydrocarbons can offset the purchase of carbon credits, which typically equals one metric tonne of CO2.
Meriton construction director, David Cremona, said using a low GWP refrigerant demonstrates Meriton’s commitment to improving its environmental performance in the residential apartment community.
“We want to adopt the best for our clients and the community,” he said.
For more than 57 years, Meriton has grown to become one of Australia’s most successful residential developers with apartments in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Local councils are also showing an interest in adopting natural refrigerants to help limit global warming and to keep energy bills to a minimum.
Sydney City Council and Parramatta Council have both been at the forefront of initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and they are now taking a closer look at hydrocarbon refrigerants.
Climate change has dominated the local government agenda for a number of years.
At last year’s annual Local Government Association (LGA) conference more than a dozen motions were passed urging the Federal Government to declare a climate emergency.
Just last week the LGA called for lower emissions in a post-pandemic Australia.