As regulations concerning the future use of HFCs continue to evolve, many users of commercial refrigeration have started exploring how other refrigerants with lower GWP could potentially meet their needs. Their choices are many, as manufacturers now offer equipment that utilizes natural refrigerants like CO2 or ammonia or hydrocarbons such as propane. For those not looking to invest in entirely new equipment, retrofitting with an HFO blend or converting to a lower-GWP HFC may be the right choice.
Determining which refrigerant may work best for an application can be challenging. While larger supermarket and restaurant chains usually have in-house personnel who help make this decision, they often turn to their local contractors for their advice as well. For smaller regional stores, bars, and restaurants, which typically lack in-house expertise, contractors play a larger role in making these types of recommendations.