HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerants are currently used in most refrigeration systems. These HFCs are damaging to the atmosphere if released. In order to tackle this problem HFCs are gradually being phased out within the EU. The HFC phase out in the EU began in 2015 with a ban on the use of R22. There is a target of a 79% reduction in the use of HFCs in the EU by 2030. This phase out of HFCs is achieved by means of a quota system along with bans on the use of certain HFCs with higher GWPs (Global Warming Potential).
From 2015 to 2030 these quotas for HFCs reduce at intervals thus the price has & will rise accordingly during the phase out.
R404a is the most prevalent refrigerant in the EU. From 2015 to the present day the cost of R404a has increased by over 600%
Hydrocarbon Refrigerants are inexpensive natural refrigerants that have no ozone depleting properties and minimal global warming potential (GWP). These hydrocarbon refrigerants will not be phased out due to their low global warming potential (GWP), thus hydrocarbons are becoming an increasingly popular choice for replacing HFCs in commercial refrigeration.
To illustrate the stark contrast between the effect of a hydrocarbon Vs a HFC refrigerant when released to the atmosphere:
10kg of R404a released to the atmosphere is equivalent to 39.22 metric tons of CO₂ whereas 10kg of R290 released to the atmosphere is equivalent to just 0.03 metric tons of CO₂.
JBG currently offer a wide range of plug-in fridges and freezers which use hydrocarbon refrigerants including: spider fridges, dual temperature islands, open multidecks, glass door multidecks, chest freezers, well / wall freezers & many more.
Plug-in appliances using hydrocarbon refrigerants are just like any other traditional plug-in appliance with the exception that they are subject to limits on the amount of refrigerant allowed in each sealed circuit. Due to the charge limit some appliances may have more than one sealed refrigeration circuit.
If you would like more info on these systems, call us on 042 9665460.
