Choosing Sustainable Retrofit Alternatives for the Changing Regulatory Landscape
The refrigeration market is moving towards more environmentally sustainable refrigerants with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low global warming potential (GWP).
As global regulations phase out ozone-depleting hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant R-22, owners and operators of refrigeration systems will eventually need to find replacements to keep existing systems running. However, choosing the right replacement can be complicated without understanding the sustainable options that are available.
Some retrofit alternatives do not deliver the performance or safety of R-22, and others may require extensive changes to existing equipment or may be subject to HFC phasedowns in certain regions.
Points to Consider When Retrofitting
When looking for a retrofit solution, these factors should be considered:
Performance: If an R-22 replacement does not have comparable thermodynamic properties to R-22, the refrigeration system will need to run longer and harder to maintain the same temperature. This can significantly increase the energy consumption and operational cost of a refrigeration unit, and may impact whether the system can maintain the required temperatures for perishable food and medicines.
Safety: R-22 is non-flammable. Some replacement blends are categorized as being mildly flammable or highly flammable. This can have great implications for the storage, transportation, handling, and use of the refrigerant.
System oil requirements: Check the compatibility of the refrigerant with the compressor oil and change the oil if required.
Wear and tear on the systems: Without optimal R-22 replacement properties, some options may lead to poor system performance and reduced system longevity.
It's important to note some refrigerants are not compatible at all with R-22 systems. The system would be inoperable if the wrong refrigerant was selected.
Contact us for more information on retrofitting.
The Optimal Replacement for R-22: An Easy Retrofit Solution
To meet the growing need for sustainable solutions, the Opteon™ portfolio includes innovative refrigerants that deliver the performance, system compatibility, and safety desired in commercial and residential air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Opteon™ refrigerants are hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) based and offer:
- High performance
- Low toxicity
- Nonflammable properties
- Zero ODP
- Low GWP
Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) refrigerant was designed as an R-22 alternative for refrigeration. It brings the environmental advantages and trusted performance of Opteon™ refrigerants to many new applications without expensive retrofitting. Its properties allow for an easy transition between refrigeration systems.
