R290 refrigerant gas: your complete guide

More and more of us are trying our best to become more eco-friendly. And the heating and cooling industry is no different.

While the majority of heat pumps manufactured today contain synthetic refrigerants, these are becoming increasingly problematic. Not only do they have huge global warming potential (GWP) but they’ve also been found to contain toxic PFAS that poison wildlife and, in some areas, even endanger human health.

Luckily, there is an alternative. R290 heat pumps use a natural refrigerant that is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than synthetic refrigerants like HFOs (hydrofluoro-olefins) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). In fact, as a certified B Corp, we only use natural refrigerants like R290 at Clade.

Here’s all you need to know about this refrigerant gas – from what it is to its pros and cons.

What is R290 refrigerant gas?

R290 is a form of propane. It’s a natural refrigerant composed of pure hydrocarbon, which is in a gaseous state at ambient temperature and pressure.

R290 is already commonly used in refrigeration systems. But now, it’s being heralded as a solution to the F-gas problem in heat pumps.

Why? Well, it has incredibly low GWP and it doesn’t contain any environmental toxins known as PFAS.

But that’s not all. As well as being better for the environment, it’s also a high performance refrigerant. Unlike synthetic refrigerants, it has no glide, which makes it very efficient. In fact, it can achieve higher coefficient of performance (COP) at low ambients and high flow temperatures than synthetic refrigerants!

These are just a few of the characteristics that make R290 an attractive alternative to synthetic refrigerants. Which brings us onto…

What is the difference between R290 and synthetic refrigerants?

R290 is a natural refrigerant, which means it’s widely available and isn’t subject to any patents.

On the other hand, synthetic refrigerants are man-made chemicals, which fall into the F-gas category. Many synthetic refrigerants are patented and increasingly expensive. Plus, they’re mainly designed for refrigeration rather than heating – so, natural refrigerants like R290 are often more efficient at low ambients and high flow temperatures.

But the biggest difference is arguably the impact that these refrigerants have on the environment.

R290 is much more environmentally friendly than synthetic refrigerants. While R290 has a GWP of just three – or less depending on the time considered – synthetic refrigerants typically have a GWP of several thousand.

Not only that, but synthetic refrigerants are known to contain environmental toxins called PFAS, which pollute groundwater, poison wildlife and can even endanger human health. In fact, Yahoo! News reports that PFAS can be found in almost half the tap water in the US, and in the blood of nearly every person in the country! In contrast, these harmful toxins won’t be found in natural refrigerants like R290.

Another key difference is that R290 is a pure gas that comes from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, synthetic refrigerant gases are often combined with other chemical compounds, with a critical portion of each constituent.

R290’s purity comes with several benefits. For one, it can help to avoid the deterioration of mechanisms. It also means that refrigerant levels can be easily topped up following refrigerant losses. This is much less costly and wasteful than having to replace the refrigerant entirely, which is usually the case when it comes to synthetic blends of gases.

Pros and cons of the refrigerant R290

So far, we’ve only scraped the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of R290 as a refrigerant. Although of course, like anything, it does also have a few downsides.

Here’s the full lowdown.

Pros

• Very low GWP. This means it won’t play a part in accelerating climate change.
• Zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). So, it won’t contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer.
• No PFAS. Unlike synthetic refrigerants, R290 won’t pollute groundwater with these harmful environmental toxins.
• Highly efficient. R290 has no glide, which makes it more efficient than synthetic refrigerants at low ambients and high flow temperatures.
• Cost-effective. It isn’t subject to patents and is highly efficient, making it a cost-effective alternative to synthetic refrigerants.
• Easy to retrofit. R290 heat pumps are usually operated at 60C with a 40C return temperature. Many buildings can be easily converted to these temperatures with little or no change to existing infrastructure.
• Future-proof. While regulations restricting the use of HFCs and HFOs are likely to increase over time, R290 won’t be subject to regulatory action, making it a future-proof option.
• Pure hydrocarbon. This means a full refrigerant replacement isn’t required after refrigerant losses, unlike refrigerants that are blends of gases and have a critical proportion of each constituent.

Cons

• Highly flammable. This could present a hazard if the risks aren’t properly mitigated against.
• Requires additional safety measures. R290’s flammability makes additional safety measures such as ventilation and fire suppression systems crucial.
• Market availability. As R290 is still a relatively new solution, market availability may be limited compared to synthetic refrigeration gases.

R290 is the future of commercial heating

As you can see, R290 is a no-brainer. Not only is it vastly better for the environment, but it’s also a high-performing and low-cost solution that benefits both people and the planet.

The only slight downside is its flammability. But as long as the appropriate safety procedures are in place, R290 is exceptionally safe to use as a refrigerant. And don’t forget that most buildings currently have a gas connection, so gas risks certainly aren’t a new problem!

With all this in mind, you can see why we believe that R290 is the future of commercial heating.

Want to be a part of the greener future we’re envisioning? Simply get in touch with us at Clade to learn how we can future-proof your business with a natural refrigerant heat pump.