Choosing the best refrigerant gases for your equipment
Without refrigerant gases, equipment such as commercial heat pumps and commercial refrigeration systems wouldn’t function.
But did you know that the refrigerant gas you choose can play a big role in how your equipment performs – and even your business’ impact on the planet?
Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best refrigerant gas for your needs. But first…
The role of refrigerant gases
Refrigerants – also known as working fluids – define the performance of equipment such as refrigeration systems and heat pumps.
They’re fluids that are compressed into liquids with very low boiling points.
When they absorb heat, they boil and turn into gas. As they release this heat, they then condense back into fluids.
This process is known as the vapour compression cycle. It’s what allows heat pumps to keep buildings warm, and what allows refrigerators to stay cool.
However, there are lots of different refrigerant gases, which all have their own unique characteristics. They largely fall into two groups – chemical (synthetic) and natural.
While the refrigeration sector has mostly transitioned to natural refrigerants, the heat pump industry still relies heavily on synthetic refrigerants – which pose significant problems for the environment.
These manufactured chemicals are harmful F-gases that have high global warming potential (GWP) – often in the thousands. They also release harmful ‘forever chemicals’ called PFAS into the environment, which pollute groundwater, poison wildlife and can even endanger human health.
Factors to consider when choosing a refrigerant gas
When you’re choosing a refrigerant gas for your commercial equipment, there are lots of different factors to consider.
As well as your impact on the environment, the refrigerant you choose can affect how your equipment performs – and how much you pay to run it.
Here are some things to factor in.
1. Efficiency
Natural refrigerants tend to be particularly efficient in heat pumps, as they have no glide. This is a thermodynamic behaviour found in some synthetic refrigerants, which suits cooling and refrigeration but not heating.
In fact, in heat pumps, natural refrigerants achieve higher coefficient of performance (COP) at low ambients and high flow temperatures than synthetic refrigerants.
In this way, they’re a great way to use less energy and reduce your running costs. Which brings us onto…
2. Cost
Refrigerants come with different price tags. And of course, prices can vary and fluctuate over time.
As a general guide, natural refrigerants tend to have the lowest prices and are easily available.
As pure gases, they can also save you money if you experience refrigerant losses. This is because you can easily top up levels – unlike blends of gases, which require a full (and expensive) refrigerant replacement as they have a critical proportion of each constituent.
3. GWP
It’s also important to consider the GWP of your refrigerant.
Synthetic refrigerants like HFOs (hydrofluoro-olefins) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) commonly have an effect on global warming that’s much stronger than carbon dioxide, with a GWP of several thousand!
This is in contrast to natural refrigerants like propane, which has a GWP of just three (or less depending on the time considered) – as well as zero ozone depletion potential (ODP).
As you can see, choosing the right refrigerant is essential – especially if you’re installing a heat pump as part of a green initiative.
4. PFAS
Another environmental factor to consider is whether your refrigerant of choice contains PFAS.
PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals.’ They don’t fully degrade, but instead pollute groundwater and accumulate in the environment.
In fact, according to Yahoo! News, almost half the tap water in the US contains PFAS, and they can be found in the blood of nearly every person in the country! These harmful chemicals have been linked to severe health issues in humans – including damage to the liver and an increased risk of some cancers.
The good news is that not all refrigerants contain PFAS. Natural refrigerants are clean and non-toxic, making them a no-regret choice.
5. Suitability
No two businesses are the same. So, don’t forget to think about your own unique needs and which refrigerant gas can best suit them.
For instance, when it comes to heat pumps:
- How big is the building you need to heat?
- What are your temperature requirements and expectations?
- Are there any noise restrictions?
- Are you retrofitting or installing a heat pump in a new build?
It’s your system designer’s job to understand your needs and determine the best fit for you. But as a rough guide, when it comes to natural refrigerants, propane is well-suited to medium temperature requirements and is easy to retrofit. Meanwhile, CO2 is a great fit for higher temperature requirements.
At Clade, we also offer low-noise heat pumps and ones that are as close to plug-and-play as a commercial heat pump can get.
6. Regulations
As a business, you want to be sure that the equipment you invest in is future-proof.
Luckily, a heat pump should last for around 15 to 20 years. But it’s important to bear in mind that some synthetic refrigerants are subject to regulatory action.
HFCs are currently being phased out due to their devastating impact on climate change, while HFOs are the subject of litigation because of the PFAS they contain. In fact, French lawmakers have already voted to ban the use of PFAS and they could be banned by the EU as early as 2026.
With this in mind, regulations restricting the use of such refrigerants is likely to increase in severity over time – especially as carbon footprints reduce and the proportion contributed by F-gases gets larger.
So, there’s a real chance that synthetic refrigerant heat pumps and refrigeration systems could become a stranded asset in the near future. On the other hand, opting for natural refrigerants could be seen as the best way to future-proof your commercial equipment.
What refrigerant gases are suitable for commercial refrigeration?
The most commonly used refrigerants for commercial refrigeration include:
- R404A
- R454A
- R448A
- R449A
- R134a
- R513A
- R450A
- R290
- R152a
- R744
- R717
Although these refrigerants all have zero ozone depletion potential, their GWP varies hugely – with the highest being a whopping 3,922!
At Clade, we only work with natural refrigerants, as we believe they’re the no-brainer choice for both people and the planet.
With that in mind, the majority of our commercial refrigeration systems contain R744 – also known as CO2. This naturally occurring gas is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, non-flammable and has an incredibly low GWP of just 1.
What refrigerant gases are suitable for commercial heat pumps?
At the moment, fluorinated hydrocarbons such as HFCs and HFOs are used as standard in commercial heat pumps.
These synthetic refrigerants commonly have a GWP of several thousand and pollute the environment with PFAS.
Luckily, there are alternatives to these ‘climate killer’ refrigerants.
At Clade, we design, manufacture and install heat pumps using the natural refrigerants CO2 (R744) and propane (R290) instead.
Propane is currently being heralded as the most environmentally friendly solution for heat pumps. But R290 heat pumps aren’t just great for the planet – they’re great for businesses too. After all, this refrigerant gas is cost-effective, high-performing and easy to retrofit.
CO2 is similar in that it’s clean, non-toxic and highly efficient. Remember, natural refrigerants achieve higher COP at low ambients and high flow temperatures than synthetic refrigerants. So, they really are a no-brainer for people and the planet!
Let us help you choose the best refrigerant gas
As you can see, not all refrigerant gases are made equal.
At Clade, we believe that natural refrigerants like propane and CO2 are the future of commercial heating and cooling.
Our team of experts can help you to reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying a highly efficient heating or refrigeration system that meets the needs of your business perfectly. Just get in touch to learn more about how we can help.