Definition:Measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere compared to CO₂ over specific time period (typically 100 years). GWP of CO₂ = 1 (baseline).
Common Refrigerant GWPs::
- **R744 (CO₂)**: GWP = 1 (baseline, very low)
- **R717 (Ammonia)**: GWP = 0 (negligible)
- **R290 (Propane)**: GWP = 3 (very low)
- **R134a**: GWP = 1,430 (moderate)
- **R404A**: GWP = 3,922 (very high, being phased out)
- **R410A**: GWP = 2,088 (high)
- International refrigerant phase-down (Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol)
- South Africa committed to reducing high-GWP refrigerants
- Natural refrigerants (CO₂, ammonia, propane) increasingly favored
- Equipment investment decisions should consider future refrigerant availability
Why It Matters::
Related Terms:: Natural Refrigerant, Refrigerant Phase-Out, Environmental Impact, Montreal Protocol