Top 5 Refrigerants Used in the UK
Here’s a list of the top 5 refrigerants commonly used in the UK, based on current regulations, environmental considerations, and industry usage:
R134a (HFC – Tetrafluoroethane)
R134a (HFC – Tetrafluoroethane) is commonly used in car air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, and vending machines. However, due to its high Global Warming Potential (GWP: 1430), it is being gradually phased down under EU and UK F-Gas regulations.
R410A (HFC – Blend of Difluoromethane & Pentafluoroethane)
R410A (HFC – a blend of Difluoromethane and Pentafluoroethane) is widely used in residential and commercial air conditioning systems. While it offers high efficiency, its high Global Warming Potential (GWP: 2088) has led to a gradual replacement by lower-GWP alternatives.
R32 (HFC – Difluoromethane)
R32 (HFC – Difluoromethane) is commonly used in modern air conditioning systems and heat pumps. It has a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP: 675) than R410A, making it an increasingly popular and more environmentally friendly alternative.
R407C (HFC – Blend of HFC-32, HFC-125 & HFC-134a)
R407C (HFC – a blend of HFC-32, HFC-125, and HFC-134a) is used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, as well as for retrofitting older R22 systems. It has a moderate Global Warming Potential (GWP: 1774) and serves as a common replacement for R22.
R1234yf (HFO – 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene)
R1234yf (HFO – 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene) is used in new car air conditioning systems. It has a very low Global Warming Potential (GWP < 1) and is replacing R134a in automotive applications to comply with environmental regulations.
