Portable AC Manufacturers Going Green in Time for Earth Day 2009

Earth Day 2009 is coming up. Celebrated on April 22, Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It's held ever year during the spring in the northern hemisphere and the fall in the southern hemisphere. It was founded by the U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year.

Soleus has started a green initiative called the "Green Program." They strive to bring you energy efficient products, technologies and features. Their goal is to highlight energy efficient products and how energy is saved by using them. The Soleus "Green" logo of approval will be given to every product, feature or technology that can potentially save you money and decrease your overall energy usage. They will also provide general information and ways that you can save energy in your home or office. Basically, Soleus wants to be the "Green" headquarters by offering products, information and tips on how to save energy.

The United States and other countries have passed federal laws requiring commercial facilities to convert usage of R22 refrigerant to a more environmentally friendly alternative. The focus of the concern surrounding the usage of R22 refrigerant are the hydrochlorocarbons contained in R22. These harmful gases are released into the air when a refrigerant leak occurs which adds to the growing problem of global warming and continues to deplete the Earth's protective ozone layer. R22 is already banned in various areas of production such as household equipment and in certain types of vehicles. It's also no longer used in the manufacture of new refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. In 2010, new refrigerant for the maintenance and servicing of existing refrigeration and air conditioning systems will be banned. By 2015, recycled R22 refrigerant for the same purposes will be prohibited.

A R22 refrigerant gets phased out, more and more portable air conditioner manufacturers have begun using R-410A refrigerant. This is an energy efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant. Unlike haloalkane refrigerants it doesn't contribute to ozone depletion. Other benefits of R-410A are low energy consumption, increased product performance, no ozone depleting chemicals (no chlorine), improved product reliability, uses state of the art technology, enhanced heat pump performance and meets clean air act requirements for 2010.

DeLonghi, a company known for producing high-quality, long lasting, Italian designed consumer products, has introduced two new portable air conditioners that utilize R-410A eco friendly refrigerant gas. The DeLonghi PAC-A120E 12,000 BTU Pinguino Portable Air Conditioner utilizes this cost effective, environmentally-friendly refrigerant and can function as an air conditioner, fan and dehumidifier. The DeLonghi PAC-W130E Pinguino Portable AC uses R410A refrigerant and features an exclusive Biosilver Tech system that purifies the air with ionizers and operates on water for maximum power.