Don’t Be Fooled by So-Called “Naturals”
Industrial Gases (aka “Naturals”) aren’t the future of cooling“Natural” refrigerants, aka refrigerant-grade industrial gases, are so named
because they (e.g., ammonia, CO2, and propane) are found in crude form in thenatural environment. However, to describe them as “natural” is misleading. They
are all chemically manufactured using industrial processes.

Industrial gases are not:Risk Free

Universal

NaturalNew

Unlike “naturals,” new-generation F-gases, also known as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), offer
excellent performance and a low-to ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) without the undue
risks, complex systems, and specially trained service technicians required by the former.

Concerns with “naturals” include:

CorrosiveHigh flammability

High operating pressures

Higher lifecycle emissions

Higher cost of ownership

Lack of product availability

GWP is just part of the story
A UNEP report found that >80% of the climate impact of refrigeration
systems is due to indirect emissions from the electricity they consume.
Because “naturals” are relatively inefficient, their total lifecycle emissions
are in many cases higher than those of HFOs.1

A Better Choice
Here is how HFO refrigerants compare to some of the most common “naturals”:

HFOs

Excellent

Energy Efficiency

Operating Pressure

Moderate(On par with traditional systems)

Low

CO2

Ammonia

Hydrocarbons

Excellent

HighHigh

Moderate

Moderate

Poor(esp. in high ambient temperatures)

Moderate

System Leaks(With proper refrigerant
management programs)

HigherPotentially deadly(Due to high working pressures)(Due to toxicity)(Deliberate venting duringservice and EOL)

Corrosiveness

Low

Low

HighLow

Nonflammable

MildLow

ModerateFlammability

None to Mild(e.g., Opteon™ XP/Opteon™ XL)

Product Availability

High

Installation Cost(CapEx)

Moderate

Service andMaintenance Costs(OpEx)
Lifetime Cost

(On par with traditional systems)

Moderate(On par with traditional systems)

Moderate(On par with traditional systems)

HFOs
REFRIGERANTS

OF CHOICEHigh(Due to components suitable forhigh working pressures)High(Explosive)

ModerateHigh

High(Due to specialized components)(Self-contained applications)

HighHigh(Limited technician pooland higher component cost)(Due to specialized components
and hazards)

HighHigh(Due to higher system cost andpoor efficiency)(Monitoring and maintenancerequirements)

HighModerate

HFOs do what “naturals” can’t.
HFOs offer a efficient, reliable, and sustainable alternative to therisks and many other shortcomings of so-called “naturals.” Thecontinued availability and innovation of HFOs is crucial todecarbonizing the global economy, maintaining an efficient supply
chain for perishable goods, and achieving government-mandated
climate targets.

1”System Efficiency Is More Important Than GWP: Efficiency,” GlobalFACT, https://globalfact.org/update/system-efficiency-is-more-important-than-gwpefficiency/, accessed December 2, 2022.

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