Understanding Why Refrigerant Gases Have High Global Warming Potential (Gwp)

The higher the global warming potential a chemical has, the longer it stays in the atmosphere which causes greater damage to the ozone layer. Carbon dioxide has a global warming potential of 1.0, whereas refrigerants could be in hundreds or even thousands.

All greenhouse gases are assigned with global warming potential values. Scientists use this number in determining how refrigerant gases will bring impact to global warming in 20, 100, and 500 years. Most greenhouses gases stay in the atmosphere longer than 20 years, with many as high as 100 years. Unless action is taken to control carbon emissions and dangerous refrigerant gases, considerable harm will be done to the Earth.

In determining the global warming potential of a substance, three factors are considered. They are the amount of absorption of infrared radiation, the atmospheric location of where absorption takes place, and how long the substance remains in the atmosphere. Substances which have higher global warming potential would have higher negative environmental impacts.

To maintain a healthy environment, the lower the global warming potential of a substance or chemical, the better it is. Almost all refrigerants used to day are really greenhouse gases which largely contribute to global warming, and regulations are limiting the use of such as a first step in eventually phasing out its use and production in the near future.

Chemicals with the highest global warming potential are hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), such as those found in refrigeration and cooling systems or HVAC-R equipment. The values for hydrochlorofluorocarbons range from 120 to 12,240 over their atmospheric lifetime. When these numbers are broken down, it takes only one molecule of refrigerant gas to cause harm to the ozone layer.

The refrigerant Trichlorotrifluoroethane (R-113) has one of the highest global warming potential values at 4800, while the refrigerant Dichlorotetrafluoroethane (R-114) has one of the lowest values at 3.9. The alternative SNAP refrigerants being developed by the EPA and various refrigerant gas manufacturers have no impact on global warming and are being used in the production of all types of new refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Because refrigerants used in commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, have a high global warming potential, facilities with this equipment in use are required to follow guidelines set forth by the U.S. International protocols and treaties mandate the reporting of refrigerant gas usage to environmental regulation authorities.

New regulations are helping in the reduction of refrigerant emissions with high global warming potential, though there are still reports of refrigerant leaks from systems which are poorly maintained.

By implementing leak reporting regulations and guidelines for fixing leaks, the U.S. is controlling the problem. The U.S. Clean Air Act is also well underway to phasing out harmful refrigerant gases by 2015 to ensure our environment remains healthy for years to come. Facilities should comply with these regulations in order to avoid penalties and sustain the future of the environment.