about Hydrocarbon Refrigerants
Hydrocarbon Refrigerants are natural, nontoxic refrigerants that have no ozone depleting properties and absolutely minimal global warming potential. The most efficient and environmentally safe refrigerants in the world are the five natural refrigerants which are Air, Water, Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia and Hydrocarbons. We call them ‘The Famous Five’.
All existing Fluorocarbon Refrigerants will be phased out in some shape or form over the coming years because of their ozone depleting properties or global warming potential. However, there is an answer created by nature, not by a chemical company — Hydrocarbon Refrigerants.
Hydrocarbon Refrigerants are not just good for the environment; they can also save you up to 54% on your energy costs. Air-conditioning systems are the largest consumers of electricity for any building. The energy used in cooling generally accounts for 60% of buildings total energy consumption. By converting to hydrocarbon refrigerants, substantial energy savings can become a reality.
Hydrocarbon Refrigerants are 50% more efficient conductors of heat than Fluorocarbon Refrigerants and their operating pressures are about 20% lower than that of Fluorocarbon Refrigerants. These lower operating discharge pressures reduce the work that the compressor has to do thus reducing wear and tear. There is less pressure on pipe work, joints, hoses, fittings and the like reducing the likelihood of leaks. This can and will extend the working life of your equipment.
All these advantages equate to an energy saving of between 17% and 54%.
Many European manufacturers of commercial and domestic refrigeration equipment have changed to hydrocarbon technology. Every year approximately 8 million hydrocarbon based refrigerators are produced in Europe, each using around 30% less energy than refrigerators using fluorocarbon refrigerants. These include companies such as Bosch, Electrolux, Miele, Whirlpool and AEG. The large supermarket chain in the UK called Sainsbury’s has built six new stores using hydrocarbon refrigerants to refrigerate the entire store.
In Asia LG produces over 11,000 refrigerators per day using hydrocarbon refrigerant. In China, hydrocarbon refrigerants are used by 3 out 4 of the largest refrigerator manufacturers.
The technology to convert existing refrigeration or air-conditioning systems to hydrocarbon refrigerants has been available for the last 20 years. Properly trained Technicians and Engineers can ensure adequate control of health and safety risks associated with any use of hydrocarbon refrigerants.