F-gases are organic compounds containing the chemical element fluorine. While they do not cause damage the Earth’s ozone layer as CFCs did, HFCs and other F-gases do act as highly potent greenhouse gases and are a significant global warming factor.
This is calculated by the gas’s performance as a greenhouse gas compared to carbon dioxide, known as a GWP (Global Warming Potential) value.
HFCs range in GWP from 53 (53-times CO2’s value) all the way up to nearly 15000 when measured over an industry-standard 100-year window. This illustrates the potency of HFCs as a global warming contributor and debases any claims companies can make of their ‘eco-friendliness’.
Almost 90% of HFC application is within the refrigeration and air conditioning industries. Car air conditioning tops the list of specific uses.
Unlike carbon dioxide – which is released into the atmosphere upon the combustion of materials – HFCs are almost entirely contained within hardware. It’s during decommission and disposal that the vast majority of atmospheric HFCs are introduced into the environment, whether directly or indirectly.
It is estimated that around 60% of HFC emissions originate from leaking refrigeration and air conditioning units.
Many of Green Cooling’s air conditioning and refrigeration systems use nothing but carbon dioxide as their refrigerant. This gas makes minimal contributions to climate change whilst also avoiding any damage to the ozone layer.
This technology is the eco-friendly choice for commercial and industrial cooling.
To learn more about HFCs and their role in climate change, please read this Greenpeace article.
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