Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure used to compare the potential climate impact of different greenhouse gases.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is used as the reference gas, with a GWP of 1. Other gases are assigned a GWP according to their potential contribution to global warming relative to CO₂ over a defined period.

Refrigerants can vary significantly in their GWP. Some older refrigerants have GWPs in the thousands, while newer refrigerants and natural refrigerants can have substantially lower values.

Refrigerant choice is increasingly influenced by environmental legislation and the global transition towards lower-GWP alternatives.

International agreements such as he Kigali Amendment and regional regulations including F-Gas legislation are driving reductions in the use of higher-GWP refrigerants.

For customers selecting new process cooling equipment, this means refrigerant should be considered alongside factors such as cooling capacity, operating temperature, application requirements, and equipment configuration.

GWP is an important environmental measure, but it is only one factor involved in refrigerant and chiller selection.

Different refrigerants have different characteristics, including operating pressures, temperature capabilities, and safety classifications. Some lower-GWP refrigerants are also flammable or mildly flammable and therefore require equipment specifically designed for their safe use.

The refrigerant used in a chiller must therefore be appropriate for the equipment design, application and intended operating conditions.

Customers should select a suitable chiller for their application rather than choosing equipment based on GWP alone.

ATC’s current product ranges have been developed around lower-GWP refrigerants, including R290 and R454C.

R290 – Propane
R290 is a natural refrigerant with a very low GWP.
It is classified as an A3 refrigerant, meaning it has low toxicity but is highly flammable. Chillers using R290 are therefore specifically designed to manage the characteristics and safety requirements associated with the refrigerant.
R290 is used within ATC’s current MG and G Series recirculating chillers.

R454C
R454C is a lower-GWP refrigerant with an A2L classification, meaning it has low toxicity and mild flammability.
It provides a substantially lower-GWP alternative to many refrigerants historically used within process cooling equipment.
R454C is used within ATC’s current H Series recirculating chillers.

Older ATC and Thermal Exchange equipment may use different refrigerants from those found in our current ranges.

This does not automatically mean that existing equipment needs to be replaced. However, refrigerant type can become an important consideration when an older chiller requires significant repair or when replacement equipment is being considered.

Changes in refrigerant regulation, availability, and component support can all affect the practicality of maintaining older equipment over time.

ATC can assess legacy equipment and advise whether continued servicing, repair, refurbishment, or replacement with a current lower-GWP unit is the most appropriate option.

The refrigerant type and refrigerant charge are specific to the individual chiller.

You can find this information on the rating plate attached to your equipment and within the relevant technical documentation.

See “What refrigerant is used in my chiller and how much is used?” for more information

GWP is one consideration when selecting process cooling equipment, but it should form part of the wider specification rather than being considered in isolation.

The right chiller needs to meet your application’s:

• Cooling capacity
• Operating temperature
• Coolant flow requirements
• Ambient conditions
• Electrical requirements
• Process fluid requirements
• Installation and application requirements

ATC’s current standard ranges incorporate lower-GWP refrigerants as part of our approach to providing modern process cooling solutions.

If you are replacing older cooling equipment or are unsure which current chiller is appropriate for your application, contact ATC to discuss your requirements.