‍Many people around the world use refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosols in their daily lives. What do these all have in common? They use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) - a group of synthetic gases that have helped phase out ozone depleting substances, but also have an impact on global warming. 

Louise McMillan (Team Leader, Hazardous Substances at the Environmental Protection Authority) answers the important questions on HFCs. 

This is an excerpt from the EPA’s Science at work series of science communication stories.

What are hydrofluorocarbons?

HFCs are a group of synthetic, or man-made, gases that are made up of hydrogen (H), fluorine (F) and carbon (C). They are primarily used in refrigeration and cooling industries, but also have applications in some medical devices. 

If you have a fridge or a heat pump / air conditioner you likely have these gases in your homes. They are also used in fire extinguishers to put out fires by absorbing the heat. 

Why do we use HFCs?

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HFCs are great at cooling, which means they are energy efficient. They have also replaced harmful ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), that were used for a similar purpose until they were banned from manufacturing in 2010 under the Montreal Protocol. 

HFCs were chosen as an alternative to HCFCs and CFCs because they don’t contain any chlorine or bromine, which damages the ozone layer. 

The chlorine in CFCs and HCFCs is what contributes to ozone depletion once it is released into the atmosphere. Global concentrations of CFCs rapidly increased during the late 1980s and 1990s, but then dropped when countries took action and regulations came into force to reduce their use.

What are the issues with HFCs?

Unfortunately, scientists soon discovered that HFCs are greenhouse gases, with global warming potentials (GWPs) of up to 14,800 times that of carbon dioxide. This means that while they don’t harm the ozone, they do contribute to global climate change. 

Every tonne of HFC gas released can have the equivalent impact of releasing 14,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

That’s the approximate equivalent of:

• driving 88,800,000 km in a diesel car
• charging 1,879,600,000 smartphones
• refuelling an SUV 680,800 times
• powering 162,800 refrigerators for 1 year.

By reducing these gases globally, we are hoping to avoid up to 0.5 degrees of global temperature rise by 2100.

The way HFCs are used can determine how they are released into the atmosphere. With refrigerators, for example, the gas can leak out into the atmosphere if the appliance is not disposed of properly.

How does the EPA regulate HFCs?

New Zealand ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2019, and since then the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has worked to reduce the use of HFCs in this country. 

The EPA has rules on the quantity of new bulk HFCs that can be imported each year, and every few years this quantity is further reduced. 

We lowered the amount of bulk HFCs available for import into New Zealand this year, and we have more of a focus on the evidence applicants provide to show there aren’t viable alternatives. 

By using the tools we have, we’re working to lower the amount of HFCs being used in New Zealand to help meet our country’s climate change goals.

What you can do to help

• Dispose of old or broken appliances at a disposal centre that you’ve confirmed can remove the refrigerant safely. This will minimise the risk of HFCs or older coolants like HCFCs from leaking into the environment.

• When buying new appliances, look for those that don’t contain HFCs and have a high energy efficiency rating. Appliances may instead use hydrocarbons or hydrofluoroolefins.

• Have your heat pumps / air conditioners checked and serviced regularly by a professional to make sure they aren’t leaking. If your fridge isn’t working properly or is unusually noisy, get a professional to check for leaks. 

‍Continue reading the story: Taking the heat out of coolants – what you need to know about hydrofluorocarbons | EPA