hogeGWPrefrigeranten

hogeGWPrefrigeranten, or high-GWP refrigerants, are refrigerants with Global Warming Potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide over a 100-year horizon. GWP is a relative measure of how much heat a gas traps in the atmosphere. High-GWP refrigerants are typically halogenated compounds, notably certain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), used in air conditioning, refrigeration, and industrial cooling because of favorable thermodynamic properties. If released, these substances can contribute substantially to climate warming over time.

Common examples have included R-404A, R-410A, and other HFC blends historically used in supermarkets, chillers, and comfort cooling. Their high GWP means that leaks, improper disposal, or inefficient operation can have outsized climate impacts. For this reason, many jurisdictions regulate their production, use, and recovery, and promote rapid substitution with lower-GWP alternatives.

Regulatory frameworks include the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which obliges phasedown of high-GWP HFCs, and the European Union F-gas Regulation, which sets staged reductions and leakage controls. These policies encourage switching to low-GWP refrigerants and improving containment, recycling, and end-of-life management.

Alternatives being adopted include low-GWP HFOs (such as certain hydrofluoroolefins), natural refrigerants (CO2, ammonia, hydrocarbons), and blends designed to balance safety, efficiency, and environmental impact. Transitioning to these options involves considerations of safety (flammability and toxicity), equipment compatibility, and retrofit costs, but aims to reduce climate impact while maintaining performance.