Fluctuating environmental policies in the U.S. tend to obscure the fact that the transition toward refrigerants with a low global warming potential (GWP) continues. HVACR manufacturers, researchers, and facility owners worldwide are making significant progress thanks to consistent public policies but also from recent development of proven technologies.
Technologically, it’s worth looking at recent moves away from refrigerants with high GWPs — like HFC-134a and HFC-404A — and toward low-GWP formulations, like natural hydrocarbons (HCs) and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) with GWPs below 5. The HFOs have a low GWP because they break down in the atmosphere over a few days. Furthermore, HFOs, together with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), form low-GWP hybrids that have GWP ratings below 150.