Save Money and Protect the Environment with Hydrocarbon Refrigerant

Global warming is a very real phenomenon that has already been shown to have serious consequences, including polar ice melting, natural habit and precipitation pattern disruption, and a global temperature increase. The United States, in an effort to reduce the amount of hazardous emissions released into the atmosphere, has started taking steps to transform the way many industries design their products. One such industry is refrigeration manufacturing.

Beginning in the spring of 2017, refrigeration manufacturers will need to comply with EPA-mandated energy efficiency standards that will, depending on the type of refrigeration, require an energy-level reduction of up to 50%. In order to meet this goal, companies like True Manufacturing are coming up with a number of solutions, including the hydrocarbon refrigerant.

Why hydrocarbon refrigerant?

This refrigerant was chosen as a replacement for hydrofluorocarbon because it is extremely climate-friendly, producing little to no harmful byproducts that deplete the ozone layer or trap heat in our atmosphere.

Most commercial refrigeration manufacturers are using the hydrocarbon refrigerant R290, which is a refined propane that was developed to be compatible with current refrigeration setup so less additional revamping had to be done to the design of the refrigerator itself.

To see how much of a difference using this refrigerant will make, you just need to look at their Global Warming Potential (GWP). The lower the GWP is for a product, the less harmful it is for the environment. The Global Warming Potential of hydrocarbon refrigerant R290 is only 3, while the refrigerant R404A that is currently in circulation has a GWP of 3922!

How does commercial hydrocarbon refrigerant usage benefit you?

Saving the environment doesn’t have to mean more hassle or increased spending for you. When you choose a freezer or refrigerator that uses a hydrocarbon refrigerant, you will reap the benefits. This refrigerant is more energy efficient, meaning you will be saving money in the long run, and it’s available at a price that is comparable to current refrigerants.

It has also been shown to provide better performance, meaning your refrigerator or freezer will be performing at a higher level.

What does this mean for your current refrigeration line?

There’s no need to worry about having to replace all of your refrigerators and freezers before this new law takes effect. All current products will still be eligible for service throughout their lifetime, so this will only affect you if you decide to replace or retrofit your unit. Learn more about the options that are available and make the decision that will best benefit your company and customers.