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The Hazards of Using Hydrocarbon Refrigerants in Residential and Commercial Air Conditioning
HCFC Alternatives
There are a wide variety of options available to replace both HCFC refrigerants and equipment or systems. The most widely-accepted replacement option for HCFCs is the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Ammonia is also a replacement option in the large commercial air conditioning and refrigeration sectors. These refrigerants do not deplete the ozone layer and can replace both CFC and HCFC uses. A brief overview of options classified by general equipment groups is as follows:
Residential and Commercial Air Conditioning
Almost 100% of residential and commercial air conditioning equipment (excluding large air conditioning systems called chillers) has traditionally operated on HCFC-22 (R-22). The current refrigerant alternatives for residential and commercial air conditioning equipment are HFC blends. Some of these blends can be applied to existing equipment with modifications to the systems. Others can only be used with new equipment designed for the specific refrigerant blend.
Large Air Conditioning Systems (Chillers)
Large air conditioning systems or chillers use either high- or low-pressure refrigerants. Low-pressure chillers have traditionally used a CFC refrigerant (CFC-11). High-pressure chillers use HCFC-22 (R-22).
The current alternative refrigerant for low-pressure chillers is HCFC-123. This refrigerant will be manufactured/imported until 2030 for use in servicing these systems; however, other alternative low-pressure HFC refrigerants are under development.
The refrigerant alternatives for high-pressure chillers are HFCs, HFC blends and ammonia. Some of these options can be applied to existing equipment with minor modifications to the systems. Others can only be used with new equipment designed for the specific refrigerant blend.
Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Systems
Refrigerants for commercial and industrial refrigeration systems depend on the temperature to be attained by the system. HCFC-22 (R-22) is the most prevalent HCFC being used in commercial and industrial refrigeration systems and has been traditionally used in all temperature applications.
The current refrigerant alternatives for commercial and industrial refrigeration systems are HFCs, HFC blends and ammonia. Some of these options can be applied to existing equipment with minor modifications to the systems. Others can only be used with new equipment designed for the specific refrigerant blend.
Hydrocarbon Refrigerant Use in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment
Refrigerants used in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment listed in "HCFC – Types and Usage" must be safety rated and approved in accordance with the provincial/territorial codes that govern mechanical refrigeration. A key reason for this requirement is the large quantities of refrigerants (in some cases, thousands of kilograms) that can be used in such systems. Hydrocarbon refrigerants are code rated as flammable and as such, are currently limited to use in small quantities (i.e. less than 300 grams) in new appliances certified for use with these refrigerants (e.g. domestic refrigerators and freezers).
The CSA B52 Mechanical Refrigeration Code that is referenced under all of the provincial and territorial regulations does not permit the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment listed in "HCFC – Types and Usage" (Refer to the CSA B52 Bulletin). Industry members and end users should be aware of these issues concerning hydrocarbon refrigerants when considering HCFC alternatives.
For more information on HCFC alternatives, please select one of the refrigerant manufacturer links below:
Alltemp Products Ltd.
Arkema Canada Inc.
DuPont Canada
Fielding Chemical Technologies
Honeywell Genetron
Ineos Fluor Canada
National Refrigerants
Protocol Resource Management
Refrigerant Services