refrigerants.net/ Knowledge Center
Hydrocarbon Refrigerants: R290 and R600a
Hydrocarbons offer very low GWP and zero ODP in purpose-designed equipment, while their A3 classification requires strict charge limits and ignition-risk controls.
How to Use This Guide
This hub organizes hydrocarbon refrigerants. Use it to build a shortlist, then open each refrigerant guide for composition, safety class, GWP basis, ODP, applications, alternatives and source links.
A refrigerant designation alone never confirms compatibility. Equipment approval, capacity, pressure, lubricant, component materials, controls, charge size, technician competence and destination rules must be reviewed together.
Key Selection Questions
Technical fit
What evaporating and condensing temperatures, capacity, pressure ratio, discharge temperature and heat-exchanger behavior must the system support?
Safety fit
Which toxicity, flammability, charge-limit, ventilation, detection, occupancy and technician requirements apply to the equipment location?
Environmental fit
Which GWP assessment basis, ODP rule, leakage expectation and energy-efficiency objective govern the project?
Regulatory fit
Is the decision for new equipment, servicing, conversion, manufacture, import or reclaimed material, and what is the destination jurisdiction?
Authoritative Starting Points
- US EPA refrigerant substitute resources
- refrigerants.net/ GWP guide
- refrigerants.net/ safety-class guide
Rules and published climate values can change. This page was structured in July 2026 and should be checked against the latest official source before use.
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