Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP)

In general, all refrigerants are characterized by two numbers: Ozone Depletion Potential
(ODP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP).

ODP values range from 0 to 1: the closest the ODP value is to 1, the more harmful the
refrigerant is for the ozone layer.

CFCs are generally characterized by a big ODP value, because they contain chlorine, which
is accused of heavily contributing to the Ozone Depletion phenomenon.

As a result, CFCs have been phased out of use nowadays.

Chart with typical refrigerants ODP values

GWP values range from 0 to several thousands: the bigger the GWP value is, the more
harmful the refrigerant is for the global warming effect.

In general, inorganic refrigerants like ammonia and carbon dioxide are characterized by small
GWP values.

In general, HCFCs have also been phased out since 2005, and only the chlorine free (zero
ozone depletion) HFCs are allowed for use nowadays.
Most common types of refrigerants today substitute for CFC R12 refrigerant.

 R-12 was the refrigerant back in the 20th century for automobile applications. It was
banned in 1994 due to it harming the Ozone layer. It was replaced by R-134a. R-12 is a
CFC refrigerant.

 R-134a is used primarily in automotive air conditioning and as a replacement for R12 and
R22 in medium and high temperature refrigeration applications, such as commercial and
domestic refrigeration and chillers. It is classified as an HFC refrigerant and has been
banned in some (developed) countries due to it’s global warming potential.

 R1234yf is a new type of refrigerant that will be slowly replacing R-134a applications.
Some automobile manufacturers have already switched over to the new
hydrofluoroolefine (HFO) class of refrigerant known as 1234YF.

Most common types of refrigerants today substitute for HCFC R22 refrigerant.
 R-22 was the primary Refrigerant used for home and commercial units but was banned
due to the harm it caused to the Ozone layer. It was replaced by R-410A in 2010. R-22 is
a HCFC refrigerant.

 R-410A is a zeotropic, but near-azeotropic mixture of R32 and R125. It is primarily used
for residential and light commercial air conditioning units made on or after 2010. It is a
HFC refrigerant.

 R-32 compared to the refrigerants widely used today such as R-22 and R-410A, R-32 has
a global warming potential (GWP) that is one-third lower and is remarkable for its low
environmental impact.
Below is the data for Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
of various refrigerants:

Refrigerant Chemical Chemical Type N.B.P. Global Ozone

Designation Formula Name Warming Depletion
o
C Potential Potential

R-11 (CFC) CFCl3 Monofluoro- Organic 23.7 4750 1*

Tretrachloro Halocarbon
Methane

R-12 (CFC) CF2Cl2 Dichloro- Organic - 29.8 2400 1

Difluoro Halocabon
Methane

R-22 (HCFC) CHF2Cl Difluoro- Organic - 40.8 1810 0.055

Monochloro Halocarbon
Methane

R-410A Blends Zeotropic - 51.7 2088 0

R32/R125

R-507 Blends Azeotropic - 47.1 3300 0

R125/R143a

R-32 (HFC) CH2F2 Difluoro Organic - 51.75 675 0

Methane Halocarbon

R-134A CF3CH2F Tetrafluoro Organic - 26.15 1430 0

(HFC) Ethane Halocarbon

R1234yf C3H2F4 Tetrafluropropene Organic - 30 4 0

(HFO) Halocarbon
Hydrofluoroolefin

R-290 C3H8 Propane Hydrocarbon - 42.1 3 0

R-600A (CH3)3H Isobutane Hydrocarbon - 11.73 3 0

R-717 NH3 Ammonia Inorganic - 33.35 0 0

R-718 H2O Water Inorganic 100 0

R-729 Air 0

R-744 CO2 Carbon Inorganic - 78.4 1** 0

Dioxide

*R-11 is the ODP reference

* * R-744 (CO2) is the GWP reference