HVAC Industry: Embracing Eco-Friendly Refrigerants

The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry is actively transitioning to refrigerants with lower environmental impact. This movement is driven by regulations such as the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020, which mandates a phasedown of high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Manufacturers are adopting alternatives like R-32 and R-454B, which offer lower GWPs compared to traditional refrigerants like R-410A. R-454B, for instance, has a GWP of 466, which is 78% lower than R-410A’s GWP of 2088.

Natural refrigerants such as CO₂ (R-744), ammonia (R-717), and hydrocarbons like propane (R-290) are also gaining traction due to their minimal environmental impact. Companies like LG are leading this transformation by integrating these eco-friendly refrigerants into their HVAC systems, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints.

This proactive approach by the HVAC industry underscores its dedication to sustainability and compliance with evolving environmental regulations.