The vast majority of facility managers and HVAC engineers are slowly shifting to low-GWP refrigerants, mainly due to stricter regulations. Switching to these sustainable and environmentally friendlier refrigerants promises a lower carbon footprint and enhances your brand reputation.
This article takes you through some of the best low Global Warming Potential chiller refrigerants and why you should ditch high GWP refrigerants for them.
What is a Low GWP Refrigerant?
A low GWP refrigerant is simply a more climate-friendly fluid deployed in varying chillers to help cool buildings, industries, and high-traffic institutions, amongst others. Unlike older chiller refrigerants, these coolants promise reduced Global Warming Potential (GWP), meaning that they are less likely to hem in heat in the atmosphere in case there is a leakage. They include natural refrigerants like R-744 and propane.
The Rewards of Using Refrigerants with a Low Global Warming Potential
Most HVAC engineers and chiller manufacturers utilize low GWP chiller refrigerants because of the existing regulations. However, switching to these newer and more sustainable refrigerants comes with a myriad of benefits, key amongst them being:
- Ozone Protection: A vast majority of low GWP chiller refrigerants in circulation boast a rating of zero ODP, meaning they pose zero risk to the ozone layer, whose sole purpose is to protect the earth.
- Minimized Direct Emissions: Unlike chiller refrigerants with a high GWP potential, low GWP coolants hardly trap heat when spilled or leaked. In fact, they trap less heat a thousand times less, leading to significantly reduced harmful emissions.
- Greater Heat Transfer: These refrigerants boast higher thermal conductivity, meaning they dissipate heat from your chiller more efficiently.
- Reduced Energy Consumption: Low GWP refrigerants can make your chiller up to 5% more efficient when it comes to energy usage. Natural refrigerants, particularly CO2, promise even greater energy efficiencies.
- Regulatory Compliance: In most countries, using low GWP coolants is now a regulation. Switching to them subsequently keeps you compliant with the respective authorities.
- Reduced Life-cycle Costs: In addition to the power saving rewards of low-GWP refrigerant chillers, they are also cheaper to maintain, and this contributes to relatively lower life-cycle costs.
- Enhanced Brand Reputation: Customer’s today are eco-conscious and switching to low GWP refrigerants is likely to appeal more to such customers, ultimately growing your brand.
The Best Low GWP Refrigerants for Chillers
Well, how best a chiller refrigerant is depends on how low its potential to contribute to global warming is. Low GWP refrigerants with the lowest potential typically come out superior, and here is a list of some of the very best;
· R-1233zd(E)
This Hydrofluoroolefin chiller refrigerant is one of the best, especially when it comes to centrifugal chiller systems. It suits large chillers, which prioritize low-pressure points. It is considered an ultra-low Global Warming Potential refrigerant with mild flammable risks. As such, it is highly revered in both centrifugal and screw chillers, particularly those designed for large industrial facilities or commercial buildings like malls.
· R-1234ze
This is yet another popular ultra-low GWP refrigerant designed for high-performance chillers. It features prominently in both air-cooled and water-cooled chiller systems, where it promises impeccable energy efficiency even when the climatic conditions are quite unfavorable.
In addition to posing a very small global warming threat, this refrigerant also promises greater safety. However, it is categorized in the A2L class, when it comes to flammability, meaning it is slightly flammable.
· R-1234yf
Compared to high-power GWP refrigerants, which are at present a thing of the past in most countries, R-12334yf is up to 99% less likely to contribute to global warming. This has grown its popularity in modern chillers greatly, with HVAC engineers and property owners looking to capitalize on its environmental friendliness and efficiency. It is, however, relatively flammable, although this does not impact its safety rating significantly.
· R-513A (Opteon XP10)
This low GWP chiller refrigerant was invented with data centers and gigantic laboratories in mind. It is seen as a possible substitute for R-134a, since it promises less disruption and greater oil compatibility in most chillers. Furthermore, its GWP rating is considerably lower, and it boasts an A1 flammability rating, meaning it is essentially non-flammable.
· Natural Refrigerants
Natural chiller refrigerants utilize naturally available components, making them more sustainable than man-made refrigerants such as HFC coolants. They boast a GWP of approximately zero, making them some of the most effective low-GWP coolants. They include;
- CO₂ (R-744): This natural refrigerant boasts a GWP of approximately one and is hardly flammable. This has seen its popularity in commercial spaces such as malls and supermarkets surge significantly. It is, however, only compatible with chillers built to withstand high pressure.
- Ammonia (R-717): Ammonia comes with a GWP of 0, making it the least harmful low Global Warming Potential chiller refrigerant. It is also quite efficient when it comes to energy consumption, but its toxicity remains an impediment.
· R-32
R-32 is a fairly new low-GWP chiller refrigerant, but its popularity is growing wildly with each passing day. This is a testament to its extremely low GWP, ideally lower than that of most HFC chiller refrigerants. It is, however, slightly flammable, meaning you must be cautious when using it to avert possible fires.
Finding the Best Low GWP Refrigerant for your Chiller
Although low GWP refrigerants are generally viewed as better and more sustainable alternatives to traditional chiller refrigerants, not all of them are perfect for your industrial facility or building. To find one that fits your project like a glove, you must be very critical in your choosing. Here are some of the factors you must take into consideration.
- Refrigeration Cycle
- Manufacturer Compatibility
- Safety
- Regulatory Compliance
- Retrofit Potential
- Cost
FAQs
What is considered a low GWP chiller refrigerant?
Whilst the classification of low GWP chiller refrigerants keeps being adjusted, it is generally accepted that refrigerants with a GWP of 150 and below fall under low GWP coolants. It should also be noted that different regions and regulators have different low GWP refrigerant thresholds.
Which is the best low-GWP refrigerant for chillers?
Ideally, the refrigerant with the lowest GWP should be the best coolant for your chiller. However, different chillers are compatible with different low GWP coolants. As such, the best low GWP refrigerant chiller for you is the one recommended by your chiller’s original manufacturer.
Do you need a chiller refrigerant with a high or low GWP?
Owing to present-day regulations, you are better off going for a chiller refrigerant with the lowest GWP. This means that you will pose minimal risk to the ozone layer since less heat will be dislodged into the ozone layer.
Is R-134a considered a low GWP chiller refrigerant?
No. R-134a boasts a Global Warming Potential of 1,430, meaning it does not meet the threshold for low GWP chiller refrigerants.
Chillerone is your Trusted Chiller Systems Manufacturer in China
Chillerone is an environmentally conscious chiller systems manufacturer in China. All our chilling systems feature low GWP refrigerants, that comply with the environmentally safety standards.
From our air cooled chillers to water cooled chillers, we offer many refrigerant options to meet your unique cooling requirements and efficiency.
Partner with Chillerone today for all your system cooling needs – Request for our product catalogue now.
English 
Spanish 
Arabic 
Vietnamese 
