Have You Heard About Hydrocarbon Refrigerants?

Hydrocarbon refrigerants are commonplace in Europe, but when will we see them in the US? Hydrocarbon refrigeration has arrived! Last summer HEB opened a supermarket in Austin, Texas that featured propane (R-290) refrigeration units. They were able to accomplish this even with the EPA limits to a maximum 150g per refrigeration circuit.

Many manufacturers of refrigerated merchandisers have programs well underway to develop hydrocarbon systems. Hydrocarbon refrigerants definitely have a market in the US, but whether a slow introduction in small-volume systems will equate to commonplace, is yet to be seen.