Most common refrigerants like R410A, R22, and R134A have a GWP of about 2,000. That means they are about 2,000 worse greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. GWP of the most commonly used refrigerants in HVAC like R410A, R134A, and R32 is about 2,000. Methane GWP is within the 27 to 30 GWP range.

The most common refrigerant today, R-22, has a 100-year GWP of 1,810, almost 2,000 times the potency of carbon dioxide, so just one pound of R-22 is nearly as potent as a ton of carbon dioxide.

As an additional environmental concern, R-22 is a powerful greenhouse gas with a GWP equal to 1810 (which indicates 1810 times as powerful as carbon dioxide). Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are often substituted for R-22 because of their lower ozone depletion potential, but these refrigerants often have a higher GWP.

Common refrigerants and their Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP) are indicated below. Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure of how much a given mass of a gas contributes to global warming.

R-22 is being replaced by R-410A not because of high GWP (both have about 2,000 GWP). The reason for replacement is that R-22 has a much higher ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential) than R-410A. Let’s break this GWP definition down:

Our GWP calculator makes it extremely easy to find out the GWP value (global warming potential) of the refrigerant used in your equipment. All you have to do is enter the name of the refrigerant you use and how much of it you load into your equipment.

2) GWP - The GWP, or Global Warming Potential. A measurement (usually measured over a 100-year period) of how much effect a refrigerant will have on Global Warming in relation to Carbon Dioxide. CO 2 has a GWP of 1. The lower the value of GWP - …

Carbon dioxide has a GWP of 1, while R22 refrigerant has a GWP of 1810, meaning that one molecule of R22 has a global warming impact 1,810 times that of one molecule of carbon dioxide. The higher the GWP, the greater greenhouse gas impact associated with the refrigerant per ton.

L-41 offers a significant GWP reduction with respect to R-410A “Low Global Warming Replacements for HCFCs (over 75%) in Stationary Air Conditioning / Refrigeration Equipment.”

R22 is a single hydrochlorofluorocarbon or HCFC compound. Modest global warming potential GWP = 1700. R22 can still be used in small heat pump systems, but new systems can not be manufactured for use in the EU after 2003. From 2010 only recycled or saved stocks of R22 can be used. It will no longer be manufactured.