The HVACR industry is undergoing another transition as federal and state regulations are being enacted that will phase down the use of HFCs in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment in the U.S. Unlike the last transition, which phased out refrigerants with high ozone depletion potential (ODP) such as R-22, this transition concerns the phasedown of high-GWP HFC refrigerants, such as R-410A and R-404A.
In response to these regulations, manufacturers have created a number of low-GWP solutions that are designed to have similar — or better — efficiencies and capacities than the refrigerants they are intended to replace. Those listed here are just a few that are currently available.
ARKEMA
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: R-1233zd(E)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-123
Chemical makeup: trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene
ASHRAE Classification: A1
GWP: 1
When it was introduced: Refrigerant was submitted to ASHRAE 34 in 2013.
Equipment for which it is intended: Low-pressure centrifugal chillers for comfort cooling. It is also considered for heat recovery or high-temperature applications, such as high-temperature heat pumps or Organic Rankine cycles (ORC).
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: No
Benefits of using this refrigerant: R-1233zd(E) is a lower toxicity Class A fluid, while the incumbent refrigerant R-123 is a higher toxicity Class B. R-1233zd(E) provides matching efficiency to R-123 with 40% higher capacity and an ultra-low GWP of 1, according to Arkema.
ULTRA-LOW GWP: R-1233zd(E) provides matching efficiency to R-123 with 40% higher capacity and an ultra-low GWP of 1. (Courtesy of Arkema)
Looking Ahead: Forane® R-516A has emerged as a leading very-low GWP replacement for R-134a due to its closely matched properties to R-134a and being an azeotropic (zero glide) refrigerant blend with a very low GWP of 131 (per IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, AR5). It is a ternary blend of R-1234yf, R-152a, and R-134a, said Scot Swan, global market manager, air conditioning and refrigeration, fluorochemicals, Arkema Inc.
“R-516A is classified as an A2L mildly flammable refrigerant by ASHRAE, and as such, it is intended only for new equipment,” he said. “Where allowed by codes and standards, it can be used in systems containing large refrigerant charge sizes as well as in systems with small charge sizes where an A3 highly flammable product is either not allowed or is not desired. OEMs and component manufacturers are actively evaluating R-516A for a range of equipment such as chillers, refrigeration, and air-to-water heat pumps. Forane R-516A’s superior efficiency has demonstrated significant energy savings over the lifetime of the equipment, while providing a 90% reduction in GWP compared to R-134a.”
CHEMOURS
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: Opteon™ XL20 (R-454C)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-404A, R-507A, R-407A, R-407F, R-422D, R-407C, R-417A, R-410A, and R-22
Chemical makeup: HFO-based: R-1234yf (78.5%) and R-32 (21.5%)
ASHRAE Classification: A2L
GWP: 148 (AR4), which is a 96% reduction compared to R-404A.
When it was introduced: 2016
Equipment for which it is intended: Low- and medium-temperature commercial and industrial applications including but not limited to: food service, retail food refrigeration, cold storage warehouses, ice machines, industrial process refrigeration, household refrigerators and freezers, residential/light commercial air conditioning and heat pumps, vending machines, and water coolers.
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: No, for new equipment only.
Benefits of using this refrigerant: Opteon XL20 offers similar performance to the refrigerants it is designed to replace, which makes it easy and cost-effective to apply in new equipment without major modifications. XL20 (R-454C) will be a critical solution to support both state and federal environmental regulatory requirements for air conditioning and refrigeration applications, according to Chemours. The company notes that additional benefits include:
- 96% reduction in GWP compared to R-404A (<150GWP);
- Zero ODP;
- Non-toxic and mildly flammable (ISO/ASHRAE 2) A2L; and
- Close performance match to R-404A, slightly reduced capacity with improved efficiency.
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: Opteon™ XL41 (R-454B)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-410A
Chemical makeup: HFO-based: R-1234yf (31.1%) and R-32 (68.9%).
ASHRAE Classification: A2L
GWP: 466 (AR4), which is a 78% reduction compared to R-410A.
When it was introduced: 2016
Equipment for which it is intended: Residential air conditioning and heat pumps; light commercial air conditioning and heat pumps; and positive displacement chillers.
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: No, for new equipment only.
Benefits of using this refrigerant: XL41 (R-454B) will be a critical solution to support both state and federal environmental regulatory requirements for air conditioning applications, according to Chemours. The company notes that additional benefits include:
- Lowest GWP solution for R-410A;
- Zero ODP;
- Improved capacity and energy efficiency compared to R-410A;
- Comparable design criteria for manufactures as R-410A;
- Compatible with existing POE lubricants;
- Allows for minimum system design changes for OEMs currently utilizing R-410A; and
- Very low temperature glide.
Looking ahead: “Chemours continues to invest in next-generation products to meet customer and industry needs,” said Brandon Marshall, market manager – North America at The Chemours Co. “We have various development activities to support the dynamics of the market and regulations in the future.”
COMSTAR
PERFECT BLEND: ComStar’s low-GWP alternatives, RS-51 and RS-53, are a blend of six different HFO, HFC, and CO2 components. (Courtesy of ComStar)
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: RS-51 (R-470B)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-404A and R-507
Chemical makeup: A blend of six different HFO, HFC, and CO2 components.
ASHRAE Classification: A1
GWP: ~717
When it was introduced: For the European market, 2019; in the U.S., 2021.
Equipment for which it is intended: Existing commercial refrigeration systems.
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: Yes, it was formulated to be a drop-in replacement for all R-404A and R-507 equipment.
Benefits of using this refrigerant: RS-51 (R-470B) was formulated to be safe and compatible with R-404A and R-507 compressors, system components, and oils. It offers similar performance to R-404A and R-507 and lower discharge pressure than R-448A and R-449A and is the lowest GWP replacement for R-404A and R-507, according to ComStar.
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: R-53 (R-470A)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-410A
Chemical makeup: A blend of six different HFO, HFC, and CO2 components.
ASHRAE Classification: A1
GWP: ~909
When it was introduced: For the European market, 2019; in the U.S., 2021.
Equipment for which it is intended: New and existing R-410A air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: Yes, it was formulated to be a drop-in replacement for all R-410A equipment.
Benefits of using this refrigerant: RS-53 (R-470A), with a GWP almost 60% lower than R-410A, was formulated to be safe and compatible with R-410A compressors, system components, and oils, according to ComStar. RS-53 has similar properties to R-410A, including discharge pressure, discharge temperature, energy efficiency, and cooling capacity. As a nonflammable (A1) alternative, RS-53 (R-470A) can be used to replace R-410A in both new and existing R-410A equipment.
Looking ahead: “ComStar, along with its UK strategic partner Refrigerant Solutions LTD, continues on an aggressive pace to develop and introduce new refrigerants to meet the ever-evolving government and market demands for environmentally safe chemical refrigerants and products,” said Steven Mella, CEO of ComStar Intl.
Honeywell
PHASE DOWN: The HVACR industry is undergoing another transition as new regulations are being enacted that will phase down the use of HFCs in air conditioning equipment. (Courtesy of Honeywell)
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: Solstice N15 (R-515B)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-134a and R-124
Chemical makeup: R-1234ze (91.1%) and R-227ea (8.9%)
ASHRAE Classification: A1
GWP: 293 (AR4); 299 (AR5)
When it was introduced: 2020
Equipment for which it is intended: Chillers and heat pumps; medium-temperature commercial refrigeration; and high-temperature cooling systems.
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: Yes
Benefits of using this refrigerant: With a GWP of 292, Solstice N15 is 80% lower than R-134a and 50% lower than R-124. As a non-flammable, energy-efficient replacement for R-134a, Solstice N15 can be used immediately by chiller and heat pump manufacturers, where safety standards and buildings codes limit the use of A2L and A3 refrigerants. Its similar product design to Solstice ze (R-1234ze) will provide OEMs with a long-term solution that is flexible for both A1 and A2L refrigerants, according to Honeywell. The refrigerant also contributes to achieving U.S. building certifications, including LEED and BREEAM.
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: Solstice N40 (R-448A)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-404A and R-22
Chemical makeup: R-32, R-125, R134a, R-1234ze, and R-1234yf
ASHRAE Classification: A1
GWP: 1273
When it was introduced: 2015
Equipment for which it is intended: New supermarkets or R-404A retrofits, especially low- and medium-temperature refrigeration.
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: Yes
Benefits of using this refrigerant: Solstice N40 (R-448A) is the world’s most adopted, lowest-GWP replacement refrigerant for R-404A in the supermarket industry, with more than 30,000 installations in supermarkets across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, according to Honeywell. Solstice N40 offers GWP that is approximately 68% lower than legacy HFC refrigerants like R-404A and consumes less energy. In U.S. and European supermarket trials, in comparison to R-404A, the company said that Solstice N40 demonstrated an average of between 5-15% lower energy consumption in refrigeration applications.
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: Solstice N41 (R-466A)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-410A
Chemical makeup: R-32, R-125, and R-13I1
ASHRAE Classification: A1
GWP: 733
When it was introduced: 2018
Equipment for which it is intended: Stationary residential and light commercial air conditioning applications.
Is it readily available: Solstice N41 is in the advanced stages of commercialization, which includes working with OEMs to test out the product to their specifications and ensure compatibility with their equipment. To date, Honeywell states that Solstice N41 has undergone extensive testing by over 15 OEMs and compressor manufacturers and accumulated more than 65,000 hours in different applications like commercial air conditioning (e.g., VRF, rooftops) and residential air conditioning (unitary).
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: Yes
Benefits of using this refrigerant: Solstice N41 (R-466A) is the industry’s first non-flammable, low-GWP replacement refrigerant for R-410A, according to Honeywell. With a GWP that is 65% lower than R-410A and a 100% match in performance (capacity and energy efficiency) to R-410A, Solstice N41 is the first replacement refrigerant that delivers all three attributes and provides the same level of safety to contractors and customers as R-410A. Honeywell states that all other alternatives proposed to date as R-410A replacements are flammable, which increases risk to homeowners and requires changes to safety standards, building codes, and OEM equipment production lines.
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: Solstice ze (R-1234ze)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-134a
Chemical makeup: HFO-1234ze
ASHRAE Classification: A2L
GWP: Less than 1
When it was introduced: 2012
Equipment for which it is intended: Medium-pressure chillers to cool large buildings; infrastructure projects; process chillers in refrigeration applications; district cooling and heating; high-temperature heat pumps; and medium-temperature, self-contained refrigeration cabinets.
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: No
Benefits of using this refrigerant: Energy-efficient, ultra-low GWP of less than 1, which is 99.9% lower than R-134a.
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: Solstice zd (R-1233zd)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-123
Chemical makeup: HFO-1233zd
ASHRAE Classification: A1
GWP: 1
When it was introduced: 2014
Equipment for which it is intended: Low-pressure centrifugal chillers.
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: No
Benefits of using this refrigerant: Energy-efficient, non-flammable, ultra-low GWP of 1, which is 99% lower than R-245fa, making it an environmentally preferable alternative in applications such as Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) and high-temperature heat pumps, according to Honeywell.
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: Solstice L40X (R-455A)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-404A, R-290, R-22, and R-407C
Chemical makeup: R-1234yf (75.5%), R-32 (21.5%) and R-744 (3%)
ASHRAE Classification: A2L
GWP: 146
When it was introduced: 2018
Equipment for which it is intended: Low-, medium-, and high-temperature applications in new systems.
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: No, for new equipment only.
Benefits of using this refrigerant: Solstice L40X (R-455A) provides similar performance to R-404A, but offers 96% lower GWP and greater operating efficiency. As a mildly flammable, zeotropic refrigerant with an ultra-low GWP of 146, it is the safest A2L solution for commercial refrigeration applications, including plug-in cabinets, condensing units, monoblocks for cold and freezer rooms, heat pumps, and chillers, according to Honeywell. When integrated into appropriate system architectures, the company said that Solstice L40X provides end users with a long-term, high-efficiency, and cost-effective refrigeration solution. It can be installed using a range of new refrigeration systems already qualified for use and with which refrigeration contractors are already familiar and trained to provide service.
Name of low-GWP refrigerant: Solstice 513A (R-513A)
Refrigerant(s) it is intended to replace: R-134a
Chemical makeup: R-1244yf and R-134a
ASHRAE Classification: A1
GWP: 573
When it was introduced: 2019
Equipment for which it is intended: Positive displacement, direct expansion, medium-temperature commercial and industrial chillers, and flooded and/or centrifugal chillers.
Is it readily available: Yes
Can it be retrofitted into existing equipment: Yes
Benefits of using this refrigerant: Solstice 513A is an excellent capacity and efficiency match for R-134a in new systems, as well as for retrofit of existing systems, offering an optimal balance of properties including high energy efficiency and lower GWP, which is better for the environment, according to Honeywell.
Looking ahead: “R-471A is a blend similar to R-134a with low glide suitable for medium-temperature refrigeration applications, top end of cascade systems, self-contained refrigeration, remote condensing units, cold storage, and specialty air conditioning applications,” said Chris LaPietra, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Stationary Refrigerants. “As a non-flammable (A1) solution, it gives refrigerator manufacturers more options where <150 GWP is a requirement. We expect to see some innovative system architectures to accommodate this refrigerant.”
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