Get the Facts on HFCs
Hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, are ‘super pollutants’ - human-made greenhouse gases with global warming potentials (GWP) thousands of times higher than the same amount of carbon dioxide.
They were introduced to replace the gases that caused the ozone hole and are used mainly as refrigerants in cooling systems - from our fridges, cars, and home air conditioners to factories and supermarkets. Today HFCs are the fastest growing greenhouse gases in the world.
A single supermarket emits 875 pounds of HFCs each year equal to the carbon dioxide from more than 300 cars. Voluntary action by supermarkets can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet global climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and Montreal Protocol.
For more information on HFCs, visit https://us.eia.org/campaigns/climate/
Common Refrigerants Used in Supermarkets:
| Gas Type | Trade Name | GWP |
|---|---|---|
| HFC | R507 | 4775 |
| HFC | R404A | 4728 |
| HFC | R410A | 2256 |
| HFC | R407A | 2262 |
| HFC | R134a | 1530 |
| HFC | R448A | 1494 |
| HCFC | R22 | 1960 |
| Propane | R290 | 0 |
| Isobutane | R600a | 0 |
| CO2 | R744 | 1 |
| Ammonia | R717 | 0 |
Table uses IPCC AR6 GWP numbers, which are the most recent emission metric values. US EPA uses AR4 GWP in its regulations.
“A global phase-down of HFCs can help prevent up to half a degree Celsius of warming by the end of the century. This is essential to limit global warming to a 1.5°C increase over pre-industrial levels and avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis.”