Natural refrigerants have been growing in popularity over the years thanks to changes in regulations and a desire for low environmental impact options. But are they really any better than synthetic refrigerants? Berg answers and explains in this slideshow.

1. Natural
Refrigerants
vs. Synthetic
Refrigerants:
Is One Really
Better than
the Other?

2. Natural
refrigerants
have been
growing in
popularity over
the years thanks
to changes in
regulations and
a desire for low
environmental impact
options.

3. Recently the
Environmental
Protection Agency
announced a
phase-out of
ozone-depleted
substances by 2020.
This includes the end of R-22
production—the most common
Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) used
in air conditioners and refrigeration
equipment.

4. Not surprisingly,
the recent literature
surrounding this
phase out, and
natural refrigerant
alternatives has
painted a picture that
they are a better choice
than synthetic refrigerants.
But is this really the case?

5. Let’s take
a look into both
natural refrigerants
and synthetic
refrigerants.

6. Natural
Refrigerants

7. Natural refrigerants,
in certain applications,
are energy efficient,
sustainable and can
save money.

8. They are energy
efficient.
Natural refrigerants conduct
energy more efficiently and
reduce the work required by
compressors.
Essentially, they use less energy
to accomplish the same tasks as
systems using many synthetic
refrigerants.

9. They are
sustainable.
Natural refrigerants
have a low Global Warming
Potential (GWP), meaning
they trap less heat in the
atmosphere, making them
more environmentally
sustainable than synthetic
refrigerants.

10. They can save
money.
Natural refrigerants
conduct energy more
efficiently and lessen
the work the compressors
in your system need to do.
Equipment for natural
refrigerants can be costly.
However, operating and
maintenance costs are typically
lower, resulting in a good return on
investment (ROI) over the life of the
system.

11. Examples
of Natural
Refrigerants

12. Ammonia (NH3)
• Excellent heat transfer
properties
• Ozone Depletion Potential
(ODP): 0
• Global Warming Potential
(GWP): 0
• Harmful—highly toxic gas

13. Carbon Dioxide
(CO2)
• Excellent heat transfer
properties
• Good for low temperature
applications
• Ozone Depletion Potential
(ODP): 0
• Global Warming Potential
(GWP): 1
• Can be harmful or deadly at high
concentrations

14. Hydrocarbons
• Excellent heat transfer
properties
• Ozone Depletion Potential
(ODP): 0
• Global Warming Potential (GWP):
<4
• Highly flammable. Requires costlier
exposion-proof design

15. Synthetic Refrigerants

16. Synthetic
refrigerants tend
to be less expensive,
compatible and
highly customizable
for performance and
design.

17. Benefits
of Synthetic
Refrigerants
• Typically, more cost
effective in small to
mid-sized applications.
• Many different types
suited to a wide range
of applications.
• Good equipment
compatibility - systems
may be able to be retrofitted
if requirements change.
• Industrial refrigerant ODP are
less than 0.1.
• Factors such as chemical
compatibility, refrigeration
performance, and safety can
be balanced based on priorities.

18. HFC
Regulations
There have recently
been two significant
regulatory changes.

19. HFC
Regulations
September 2016:
US EPA announces
that specific refrigerants
including R134a cannot be
used in new chillers, effective
January 1, 2024.
October 2016: Montreal Protocol
amended to implement the phase
down of HFCs to about 10% of
current levels by 2036. Developing
countries will phase down HFCs at a
slower rate through the next decade.

20. HFC
Regulations
The complexity of
the changes and their
impact on the industrial
refrigeration industry
can be confusing.

21. Implications of
New Regulations
R134a will be available
long after 2024 to service
existing chillers and is a
key component of refrigerant
blends including R513A,
R513B and R450A, which are
about 40% R134a. This assures
the continued production and
abundant supply of R134a well
into the future.

22. Implications of New
Regulations
The gradual phase down of HFCs
by the revised Montreal Protocol
allows time for development
and regulatory approval of new
alternatives and continued use of
refrigerant R134a.
DON’T
PANIC

23. New HFC
Refrigerants
New lower GWP
HFC refrigerants are
being developed and
commercialized for
industrials applications
to replace R134a, R404A,
R407C, and R507. Some
will require new refrigeration
systems while others will be
compatible and require minor
upgrades or retrofits. Over time,
as production capacity ramps up,
costs for both the refrigerant and
equipment are expected to fall
significantly.

24. Natural vs.
Synthetic
The choice between
natural and synthetic
refrigerants comes down
to a number of complex factors
and there is rarely a one-size
fits all solution.
We recommend you speak
to a Berg professional about which
refrigerant is the most appropriate
for your application—today and in
he future.

25. Learn more
about
refrigerants.
Berg Chilling Systems Inc.
51 Nantucket Blvd.
Toronto, ON M1P 2N5
(416) 755-2221
bergsales@berg-group.com
berg-group.com