When I first started writing about the HVACR industry more than 25 years ago, the term used to describe the harmful effects of refrigerant emissions in the atmosphere was ODP. After scientists discovered the hole in the ozone layer, they determined that it was caused by the chlorine in chemical compounds like CFCs, which were widely used in aerosols and refrigerants. They needed a measurement to describe the amount of ozone depletion caused by various substances, thus the term ODP was born.

Refrigerant regulations are another reason why change is coming, as HCFCs will be phased out by 2020, and given their high GWP, HFCs will likely be phased down in the near future as well. At some point, supermarkets will need to start considering low-GWP alternatives, such as HFO blends, as well as so-called “future-proof” refrigerants, such as ammonia, CO₂, or propane.

Refrigerant regulations are another reason why change is coming, as HCFCs will be phased out by 2020, and given their high global warming potential (GWP), HFCs will likely be phased down in the near future as well. At some point, supermarkets will need to start considering low GWP alternatives such as HFO blends, as well as so-called “future-proof” refrigerants such as ammonia, CO2, or propane.