Find out what action to take with the GWP calculator

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. You can combine this information with the “leak detection system” and/or “hermetic system” criteria.
• You will also learn what action you need to take along with the GWP value.
• The following section explains what the GWP value means.

What does the GWP value mean?

GWP stands for “global warming potential”, which is the potential for a substance to contribute to climate change. The GWP value of a refrigerant defines its global warming potential relative to CO₂ (also known as CO₂ equivalent). The value describes the global warming effect over a certain period of time, which for refrigerants is usually 100 years.

The higher the GWP value, the more harmful the corresponding substance is to the climate. A specific example: The CO₂ equivalent of R-134a, a commonly used refrigerant, is 1,430 viewed over a 100-year period. This means that one kilogram of R-134a contributes 1,430 times as much to the greenhouse effect as one kilogram of CO₂ within 100 years after release. The release of 1 kg of R-134a is therefore equivalent to the release of 1,430 kg of CO₂.

The most common fluorinated refrigerants and their GWP:

R-134a = GWP 1,430

R-404a = GWP 3,922

R-407c = GWP 1,774

R-407f = GWP 1,825

R-449a = GWP 1,282

R-410a = GWP 2,088

R-422d = GWP 2,729

R-32 = GWP 675

R-1234yf = GWP 4

For context, here are some alternatives to F-gases and their GWPs (natural refrigerants)

R-744 (CO₂) = GWP 1

R-717 (ammonia) = GWP 0

R-290 (propane) = GWP 3

R-600a (isobutane) = GWP 3

Why is it important to determine the GWP value or the CO₂ equivalent?

Operators of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment should know the GWP value of the refrigerant used in their equipment. This is also true for service providers who perform maintenance and service work on this equipment. Why? Because the current F-Gas Regulation, which applies throughout Europe, has defined different provisions and prohibitions for refrigerants based on their GWP value and CO₂ equivalent.

In particular, the regulation has set out serious restrictions and tightened other regulations for refrigerants with a GWP value in excess of 2,500 starting on January 1, 2020. Failure to comply with these regulations and prohibitions can have serious consequences, such as a prolonged machine shutdown in the event of a leak.

Your message to us

Do you have any questions? If so, simply fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!