Refrigerant myth busting

Tackling the myths spread by the F-gas industry

Fluorinated gases, or F-gases, are synthetic substances used in a range of applications such as refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems.

The most commonly used F-gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), many of which damage the climate and are due to be phased down under the Montreal Protocol and phased out in the EU under its F-Gas Regulation.

However, a new generation of F-gases is being promoted by the chemical industry to replace HFCs — hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), which also come with environmental and health concerns.

Like the fossil fuel giants, tobacco producers and other destructive industries before them, F-gas producers are intentionally muddying the water, ignoring science and delaying climate action to maintain their bottom line despite the availability of suitable natural alternatives to their super-polluting products.

This new briefing busts some of the myths being pushed about the viability of alternative natural refrigerants.