Social Responsibility

Emission reduction of non-CO2 greenhouse gases used as refrigerant

Non-CO2 Greenhouse gases, in particular CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs, are the main refrigerants used in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

This kind of equipment traditionally leaks significantly (10 to 40% on a yearly basis) during operational life. At end of life, the refrigerant content traditionally emits directly into atmosphere. As a result, significant atmospheric emissions occur and have a detrimental effect on the environment.

Reduction of refrigerant emissions from refrigeration and air conditioning equipment can be achieved in five ways:

1. by substitution with other less harmful substances;
2. by using alternative technologies nut requiring this kind of refrigerants;
3. by avoiding emission through improved leak tightness,
4. by reducing the required refrigerant content of a system and by containment on disposal (recovery, recycling, or destruction)
5. by complying with Australian Refrigeration Council Requirements

A balanced combination of all these options will contribute to the reduction of emissions. The sometimes-conflicting relation with the ozone depletion issue, for which HFC refrigerants are the solution, and the combined effects on direct CO2 emissions (Total Equivalent Warming Impact TEWI), shall be considered carefully.

United Commercial Refrigeration takes its social responsibility towards the environment seriously and has already put the above measures in place as part of our Ways of Working.

Looking ahead, any project that our team takes on which requires the use of a substantial amount of refrigerant will likely be with C02 as an alternative which is far more efficient and environmentally friendly.