Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) and so-called “natural” refrigerants have coexisted for more than two decades, with each serving the specific needs of the HVACR industry.
However, over the past several years, the proverbial aisle has formed, with pro-HFO voices on one side and “natural” advocates on the other.
EU F-gas regulations
The debate is getting more “ink” these days, partly due to advances in proposed EU F-gas regulations as well as the acceleration of global decarbonization initiatives.
In addition, scientists and industry leaders have become more vocal in setting the record straight about HFO refrigerants so that everyone from OEMs, contractors, and HVAC shop owners to facility operators, and retail managers can make informed decisions concerning system upgrades and replacements.
misconceptions about “natural” refrigerants
It is an opportune time for members of the industry to understand some of the misconceptions about “naturals”
As many parts of the world enter air conditioning season, an increasing number of people will be faced with these decisions, making now an opportune time for members of the industry to understand some of the misconceptions about “naturals” and how these refrigerants stack up to the new-generation HFOs. To start, it’s good to have a basic definition of each.
“Natural” refrigerants are simply “rebranded” industrial gases. They include hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, and carbon dioxide (CO2).
CFC and HCFC refrigerants
Introduced more than a century ago, “natural” was broadly used early on, until the common use of ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and CO2 raised concerns over toxicity, safety, and efficiency.
As early as the 1930s, science introduced replacements, in the form of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants.
HFCs and HFOs
HFOand HFO blends sit at the intersection of performance and sustainability, offering critical solutions
Next came hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which offered zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). HFCs were followed by HFOs, the newest generation of refrigerants which also have zero ODP and offer stellar performance properties and significantly lower global warming potential (GWP).
HFOand HFO blends, which have been in use for several years in new equipment and retrofits, sit at the intersection of performance and sustainability, offering critical solutions for decarbonization, circularity, safety, and a business’s bottom line.
Making Decisions: Free of Misconceptions
There is inaccurate information circulating today that can make it challenging to compare the benefits of HFOs and “natural” refrigerants.
Here are six common misconceptions I hear and discuss frequently.
Misconception 1: The choice you face is going with either a synthetic or a natural refrigerant.
All refrigerants, including those marketed as “naturals” are synthetic. While it’s true that small amounts of ammonia and hydrocarbon molecules can be detected in our environment, refrigerant-grade products such as R-717 (ammonia), R-290 (propane), and other “naturals” are produced through industrial processes.
Like HFOs, their production requires energy and feedstock consumption, purification, packaging, warehousing, and transport. It’s also important to consider how green the production process is. The century-old ammonia production process, for example, consumes a significant amount of energy and results in an enormous carbon footprint.
Misconception 2: All the industry's diverse application requirements can be met by "natural" refrigerants.
HFOs, born in chemistry and their adaptability offer a greater capability to meet changing needs
Through its evolution, the HVACR industry has become highly complex and taken on an untold number of applications. From home and mobile air conditioning to ice rinks and grocery superstores to refrigerated warehouses and transport, each application requires unique refrigerant properties.
“Naturals” can meet some of the demand. But HFOs, born in chemistry and its adaptability offer a greater capability to meet changing needs driven by continual innovations in HVACR equipment and global sustainability requirements.
Misconception 3: If you want a future-proof solution, “naturals” are the only option.
The fact is, nothing is futureproof and we should all be grateful because this means even the best solutions today can get better for the demands of tomorrow. This is certainly true for HFOs. “Natural” refrigerants, however, were first adopted more than 100 years ago, then broadly abandoned due to industry innovation as well as concerns over safety, energy consumption, and other factors.
HFOs, on the other hand, solve many of these issues and support several sustainability megatrends, including decarbonization and circularity.
Misconception 4: "Natural" refrigerants have an unlimited supply. However, HFOs are manufactured, which can result in shortages.
HFO refrigerants offer a secure and reliable supply chain for numerous HVACR applications
The supply chain of HFO refrigerants is extremely strong and positioned to support the global A2L transition. More readily available than “natural,” HFO refrigerants offer a secure and reliable supply chain for numerous HVACR applications.
In addition, there’s a much heartier pool of technicians trained to service HFO systems than there is for “naturals”, a critical need, given current workforce shortages.
Misconception 5: "Naturals" support circularity commitments much better than chemically based HFOs.
HFOs, unlike many “naturals,” are recovered, reclaimed, and reused supporting maximum resource efficiency, minimal waste, and lower emissions.
HFOs are critical to advancing circularity across the many industries they touch and create a path to decarbonization.
Misconception 6: We should avoid HFOs classified as A2Ls because their flammability makes them unsafe.
All flammable refrigerants are not alike. A2Ls, for example, are mildly flammable compared with highly flammable(A3) hydrocarbons. HFOs are reliable, have undergone rigorous regulatory approval processes, and are considered safe for their intended uses.
Lower-flammability A2L HFOs that are commercially available and OEM-approved are about four times less likely to form flammable concentrations during an accidental leak than A3 alternatives, such as propane and butane. Commonly used HFO blends are also more difficult to ignite. Moreover, hydrocarbon applications are far more restricted, due to allowable charge sizes and building codes.
informed decisions
“Natural” refrigerants have a place alongside HFOs, however cannot measure up to the innovation of HFOs
By replacing inaccurate information about HFOs and “naturals” with facts, shop owners, contractors, and technicians can help customers make informed decisions for replacing systems at the end of life, as well as during new construction and installations.
While it’s true that “natural” refrigerants have a place alongside HFOs in the current HVACR industry, they cannot measure up to the innovation of HFOs.
safety, performance, climate impact, and TCO demands
HFO refrigerants will continue to meet a growing list of demands such as safety, performance, climate impact, and total cost of ownership by striking an optimal balance of these and other desired properties.
While “naturals” stagnate, we can expect to see HFOs continue to influence the future of refrigerants as well as the HVACR applications that depend on them.