The application range of R32

a new alternative refrigerant

is continually increasing. The development and use of a special refrigeration oil has become one of the key issues in R32 applications. This study investigated a new type of polyvinylether (PVE) oil pairing with the R32 refrigerant. Through an experimental comparison of the refrigeration performance of a split air conditioner

which is heat-pump type and the input power is 2 HP

with R410A/polyolester (POE)

R32/POE

and R32/PVE

the thermal-resistance change of the evaporator and condenser under different PVE oil contents and how the system coefficient of performance (COP) was affected by the PVE oil content were studied. The results show that when R32 is paired with a more mutually soluble PVE oil

the refrigeration performance is improved effectively. With the increase in PVE oil content

the thermal resistance of the evaporator first increases and then decreases

and the thermal resistance of the condenser gradually increases; thus

the evaporation temperature first increases and then decreases

and the condensing temperature increases continuously. The COP increases and then decreases with the increase of the PVE oil content

reaching a maximum in the vicinity of 270 mL.