Types of Refrigerants: A Complete Guide (With Chart)

Refrigerants fall into five main types: CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, HFOs, and natural refrigerants (hydrocarbons, CO2, and ammonia). In new commercial refrigeration, most self-contained reach-ins, prep tables, and merchandisers now run on R-290 (propane), while larger systems are moving to R-744 (CO2) and lower-GWP blends, because EPA rules cap the global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants allowed in new equipment.

In commercial kitchens, these refrigerants are the cooling agents inside refrigerators, freezers, display cases, and merchandisers that keep meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, and other perishables safe and fresh.

TL;DR: Types of Refrigerants

• Five main types: Refrigerants are grouped into CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, HFOs, and natural refrigerants (hydrocarbons, CO2, and ammonia).
• CFCs and R-22 are out: CFCs are banned, and the U.S. ended new R-22 production and imports on January 1, 2020.
• HFCs are being phased down: HFCs such as R-404A and R-134a have zero ODP but high GWP, and under the AIM Act, U.S. production and imports will be cut by 85% by 2036.
• What new units use: Most new commercial reach-ins use R-290 (propane), and most new household refrigerators use R-600a (isobutane).
• Safety classes matter: Every refrigerant has an ASHRAE safety class: A1 (non-flammable), A2L (mildly flammable), or A3 (highly flammable).

Types of Refrigerants – Comparison Chart

The chart below lists common refrigerants, from banned older types to the low-GWP options in new equipment, with their ozone, climate, and safety ratings:

Refrigerant	Type	ODP	GWP	ASHRAE safety class	Typical use	U.S. status 2026 (new equipment)
R-12	CFC	1	10,900	A1	Pre-1994 fridges, car A/C	Banned; production ended 1995
R-22	HCFC	0.055	1,810	A1	Older A/C, walk-ins, ice machines	No new production since 2020
R-134a	HFC	0	1,430	A1	Older reach-ins, household fridges	Restricted in new stand-alone units
R-404A	HFC blend	0	3,922	A1	Older freezers, walk-ins, ice machines	Restricted in most new equipment
R-410A	HFC blend	0	2,088	A1	Older A/C and heat pumps	Restricted in new A/C systems
R-407C	HFC blend	0	1,774	A1	R-22 retrofits, A/C	Restricted in most new equipment
R-448A	HFO/HFC blend	0	1,387	A1	Walk-ins, supermarket racks	Allowed where limit is 1,400 (interim)
R-449A	HFO/HFC blend	0	1,397	A1	Walk-ins, supermarket racks	Allowed where limit is 1,400 (interim)
R-450A	HFO/HFC blend	0	605	A1	R-134a replacement, medium temp	Allowed in some sectors
R-513A	HFO/HFC blend	0	631	A1	R-134a replacement, chillers	Allowed in some sectors
R-454B	HFO/HFC blend	0	466	A2L	New A/C and heat pumps	Allowed
R-454C	HFO/HFC blend	0	148	A2L	Condensing units, low-GWP refrigeration	Allowed
R-32	HFC	0	675	A2L	New A/C and heat pumps	Allowed in A/C
R-1234yf	HFO	0	4	A2L	Car A/C, blend component	Allowed
R-290	Natural (hydrocarbon)	0	3	A3	Commercial reach-ins, prep tables, ice machines	Allowed; charge-limited
R-600a	Natural (hydrocarbon)	0	3	A3	Household refrigerators	Allowed; charge-limited
R-744	Natural (CO2)	0	1	A1	Supermarket racks, cold storage	Allowed
R-717	Natural (ammonia)	0	0	B2L	Industrial cold storage, processing	Allowed

Note: GWP values are 100-year values from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4), the basis EPA uses for its HFC rules. “U.S. status 2026” refers to new equipment only; existing equipment can still be serviced. Limits differ by equipment type; see Refrigerant Regulations in 2026 below.

What is a Refrigerant and How Does It Work?

A refrigerant is a fluid that absorbs heat as it evaporates and releases it as it condenses, moving heat out of a refrigerator, freezer, or cold room. Synthetic refrigerants are made of carbon, fluorine, and hydrogen or chlorine, while natural refrigerants are hydrocarbons, CO², or ammonia. These refrigerants are selected for their thermodynamic properties that enable efficient heat exchange through a continuous refrigeration cycle in four steps:

1. Compressor: The compressor squeezes low-pressure refrigerant vapor into a hot, high-pressure vapor.
2. Condenser: The hot vapor flows through the condenser coil, releases its heat to the room or outdoors, and condenses into a liquid. Condenser coils must stay clean with proper cleaning and maintenance for efficient operation.
3. Expansion valve: The high-pressure liquid passes through an expansion valve (or capillary tube), where its pressure and temperature drop sharply.
4. Evaporator: The cold, low-pressure liquid flows through the evaporator coil inside the cabinet, absorbs heat from the food and air, and evaporates back into a vapor that returns to the compressor.

How Refrigerants are Rated: ODP and GWP

Refrigerants are rated by Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), measured against R-11, and Global Warming Potential (GWP), measured against CO2 over 100 years.

• ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential): Shows how much a refrigerant damages the ozone layer. The scale is set by an older refrigerant called R-11, which has a score of 1. A score of 0 means the refrigerant has no chlorine or bromine, so it doesn’t harm the ozone layer.
• GWP (Global Warming Potential): Shows how much a refrigerant adds to global warming compared with carbon dioxide (CO2) over 100 years. For example, a GWP of 1,000 means that 1 lb (0.45 kg) of the refrigerant traps as much heat as 1,000 lbs (about 454 kg) of CO2.

Safe for the ozone layer doesn’t mean safe for the climate:

A refrigerant can have an ODP of 0 and still contribute heavily to global warming. The difference between older and newer options can be huge:

• R-404A (an older refrigerant) has a GWP of about 3,922.
• R-290 (propane) has a GWP of about 3.

So, if the same amount leaks, R-404A does more than 1,000 times the climate damage of R-290.

HFCs, HFOs, and natural refrigerants all have an ODP of 0, so none of them harm the ozone layer. But only HFOs and natural refrigerants have a very low GWP, making them the better choice for both the ozone layer and the climate.

The 5 Main Types of Refrigerants

Refrigerants are grouped into five main types by chemical makeup: CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, HFOs, and natural refrigerants. These five classes are the standard grouping, though some sources simplify them into three groups (synthetic halocarbons, natural refrigerants, and blends) or four types (CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, and HFOs), with natural refrigerants treated separately.

1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

CFCs are first-generation synthetic refrigerants, such as R-11 and R-12, that contain chlorine and severely damage the ozone layer. Developed in the first half of the 20th century, they dominated the industry until scientists discovered their ozone-depleting effects in the 1980s. They have the highest ODP of any refrigerant type (R-11 = 1, R-12 = 1) and very high GWP (R-12 ≈ 10,900).

U.S. production of CFCs ended at the end of 1995 under the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Air Act. CFCs were once standard in household refrigerators, car air conditioners, and commercial coolers. R-134a replaced R-12 in refrigerators and vehicles, and you are unlikely to find a working CFC system in a commercial kitchen today.

2. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

HCFCs, such as R-22, are transitional refrigerants with less chlorine than CFCs; the U.S. ended R-22 production and imports on January 1, 2020. HCFCs, including R-123 and R-124, gained wide use as alternatives to CFCs because their lower chlorine content gives them a lower ODP, but they still damage the ozone layer. R-22 has an ODP of 0.055 and a GWP of 1,810.

Existing R-22 systems can still be operated and serviced with reclaimed or previously produced (stockpiled) refrigerant. But HCFCs are subject to a gradual phaseout that ends all U.S. HCFC production and imports in 2030. R-12 and R-22, commonly called Freon (the brand name, in fact, not the refrigerant type), were common in older air conditioners, walk-in condensing units, and ice machines.

3. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

HFCs, such as R-134a, R-404A, and R-410A, contain no chlorine (ODP = 0) but have high GWP, so they are being phased down. They are synthetic chemicals that spread rapidly through the refrigeration industry because they are non-flammable, non-reactive, and chemically stable. As a result, they became the standard refrigerants in commercial reach-ins (R-134a), freezers, walk-ins, and ice machines (R-404A and R-507A), and air conditioners (R-410A).

Because their GWP is hundreds to thousands of times higher than CO², the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol added HFCs to the global phase-down, and the U.S. AIM Act requires an 85% cut in HFC production and imports by 2036. EPA also limits which HFCs can be used in new equipment by sector.

Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and HFO Blends

HFOs are the newest synthetic refrigerants, with zero ODP and very low GWP; many, like R-1234yf, are rated A2L (mildly flammable). Their very short atmospheric life is what keeps their GWP so low. Pure HFOs such as R-1234yf (GWP 4) and R-1234ze are mostly used in vehicle air conditioning and chillers, so in foodservice you will usually meet them as part of an HFO/HFC blend. HFOs are not “less flammable” than older HFCs. Most common HFOs like R-1234yf and R-1234ze are mildly flammable, and these blends are mostly formulated in either the A1 or A2L class.

• R-448A and R-449A: Non-flammable (A1) replacements for R-404A in walk-ins and supermarket racks, with GWP near 1,390.
• R-513A and R-450A: Non-flammable (A1) replacements for R-134a, with GWP near 600.
• R-454B and R-454C: Mildly flammable (A2L) blends; R-454B (GWP 466) is replacing R-410A in new air conditioning, and R-454C (GWP 148) is used in low-GWP condensing units.
• R-32: A single HFC, not an HFO, but often grouped with these newer options: lower GWP (675) than R-410A and rated A2L.

In 2026, HFOs and HFO blends are allowed in new equipment wherever their GWP is under the limit for that equipment type. Very low-GWP options such as R-454C fit the 150 and 300 limits, while R-448A and R-449A fit only the interim 1,400 limit for remote condensing units and supermarket systems.

Natural Refrigerants: R-290, R-600a, R-744 and R-717

Natural refrigerants are substances found in nature, such as hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, and ammonia, with zero ODP and very low GWP. Although they are abundant in nature, they are produced industrially for refrigeration and are not subject to HFC phase-downs. As a result, they are spreading quickly into new commercial equipment.

• Hydrocarbons (R-290 propane, R-600a isobutane, R-1270 propylene): Rated A3 (highly flammable) and used only in small, sealed charges. R-290 is now the standard in new commercial reach-ins, prep tables, merchandisers, and many self-contained ice machines; R-600a is the standard in new household refrigerators.
• Carbon dioxide (R-744): Rated A1 (non-flammable, low toxicity) but runs at much higher pressures, often in a transcritical process, which requires pressure-resistant components. Therefore, R-744 is used in supermarket display systems and warehouses.
• Ammonia (R-717): Rated B2L, meaning it is toxic and mildly flammable (not highly flammable). It is efficient at large capacities and is used in industrial cold storage and food-processing plants, not in foodservice equipment.

In 2026, natural refrigerants are allowed in most new commercial refrigeration equipment, within the safety charge limits set for R-290 and other hydrocarbons, and you can find these eco-friendly commercial refrigerators and freezers on Chef’s Deal. R-11, by contrast, is not a natural refrigerant: it is a CFC and has been out of U.S. production since 1995.

Water (R-718) and air (R-729) are also natural refrigerants, but they are limited to specialty applications such as absorption chillers and are not used in commercial food refrigeration.

What Refrigerant is Used in Refrigerators?

Most new household refrigerators use R-600a (isobutane), and most new commercial reach-in refrigerators use R-290 (propane); older units typically use R-134a or R-404A. Refrigerant changes with equipment type, unit age, and system size: small, self-contained units use small hydrocarbon charges, while large remote and industrial systems use HFO blends, CO², or ammonia.

Equipment	Common refrigerant today (new units)	Common in older units
Household refrigerator	R-600a	R-134a (R-12 before 1994)
Commercial reach-in & merchandiser	R-290	R-134a, R-404A
Prep table / undercounter	R-290	R-134a, R-404A
Walk-in cooler/freezer (condensing unit)	R-448A, R-449A (remote split systems); R-290 (self-contained packaged systems)	R-404A, R-22
Ice machine	R-290 (self-contained); R-404A still on many remote models until January 1, 2027	R-404A, R-22
Supermarket rack	R-744, R-448A, R-449A	R-404A, R-22
Industrial cold storage	R-717, R-744, NH3/CO2 cascade	R-717, R-22

How to Find Which Refrigerant Your Unit Uses

To find which refrigerant your unit uses, check the data plate (nameplate). This data plate is usually inside the cabinet or near the compressor. Every commercial and household refrigerator carries one.

1. Locate the data plate: Look on the inside wall of the cabinet, behind the kick plate or grille, or on the condensing unit near the compressor.
2. Read the refrigerant line: Find the field labeled “Refrigerant” or “Refrig.” followed by an R-number and a charge weight, for example, “R-290 / 150 g (5.29 oz).”
3. Check the spec sheet if the plate is missing: Search the model number on the manufacturer’s spec sheet or product page, which lists the refrigerant in the specifications or description. For example, the Manitowoc URP0140A undercounter ice maker lists R-290 as its refrigerant.

Industrial Refrigerants: Ammonia and CO2

Large industrial systems such as cold-storage warehouses and food-processing plants mainly use ammonia (R-717) and CO2 (R-744) because they are efficient at high capacities. Ammonia has excellent heat-transfer properties and a GWP of 0, but its toxicity (B2L) means it is kept in machine rooms with trained operators.

Many plants now run an NH3/CO2 cascade, where ammonia stays in a small, contained high-temperature loop and non-toxic CO2 circulates through the occupied cold rooms, reducing the ammonia charge while maintaining efficiency.

Refrigerant Safety Classes: A1, A2L, A3 and B2L

ASHRAE Standard 34 rates refrigerants by toxicity (A = lower, B = higher) and flammability (1 = none, 2L = mild, 2 = flammable, 3 = highly flammable). Together, the letter and number form the safety class printed on spec sheets and data plates, and the class determines how much refrigerant a unit can hold.

Class	Meaning	Examples
A1	Lower toxicity, no flame propagation	R-134a, R-404A, R-448A, R-449A, R-513A, R-744
A2L	Lower toxicity, mildly flammable (low burning velocity)	R-32, R-454B, R-454C, R-1234yf
A2	Lower toxicity, flammable	R-152a
A3	Lower toxicity, highly flammable	R-290, R-600a, R-1270
B1	Higher toxicity, no flame propagation	R-123
B2L	Higher toxicity, mildly flammable	R-717 (ammonia)

For commercial equipment, two points matter most:

• R-290 charge limits: Under EPA’s SNAP Rule 26 and UL 60335-2-89 (2nd edition), self-contained commercial refrigeration units can hold up to 300 g (10.58 oz) of R-290 for closed units with doors and up to 500 g (17.64 oz) for open cases. Units are designed and certified to these limits, so a technician should never add more than the data plate shows.
• Trained technicians: A2L and A3 refrigerants require technicians trained in flammable-refrigerant handling, spark-proof recovery equipment, and proper ventilation, and your staff should know what to do if a leak occurs. EPA Section 608 certification covers every refrigerant, but the equipment type the certified technicians can serve differs. Confirm your service company is qualified and certified before you buy; see our commercial refrigeration installation and maintenance guide for what to ask.

Refrigerant Regulations in 2026: What’s Banned and What’s Next

Under the EPA’s Technology Transitions rule, most new commercial refrigeration equipment must use refrigerants under set GWP limits, pushing manufacturers toward R-290, R-744, and A2L blends.

The rule limits refrigerants in new equipment, not equipment already installed. A May 2026 revision added higher interim limits for some larger systems, so limits now depend on the equipment type and the date. The timeline and table below summarize the rules for foodservice, followed by what they mean for the R-22, R-404A, and R-134a equipment you already own.

• 1987: The Montreal Protocol is signed to protect the ozone layer.
• End of 1995: U.S. production of CFCs (R-11, R-12) ends.
• January 1, 2020: New R-22 production and imports end in the U.S.
• 2022 to 2036: The AIM Act HFC phase-down cuts U.S. HFC production and imports step by step to 15% of baseline by 2036.
• 2025 to 2027: Technology Transitions GWP limits take effect for new stand-alone units, ice machines, and other commercial equipment.
• July 27, 2026: EPA’s revised rule takes effect, with interim limits for remote condensing units, and cold storage until January 1, 2032.

Equipment type	GWP limit	Compliance date
Self-contained (stand-alone) commercial refrigeration	150	January 1, 2025 (manufacture/import)
Remote condensing units	1,400 interim; 150 or 300 from 2032	July 27, 2026; January 1, 2032 (installation)
Cold storage warehouses	700 interim; 150 or 300 from 2032	July 27, 2026; January 1, 2032 (installation)
Self-contained ice machines (up to 1,000 lbs/24 hr batch or 1,200 lbs/24 hr continuous)	150	January 1, 2026 (manufacture/import)
Larger self-contained and remote ice machines	Restricted HFC list (no single GWP number)	January 1, 2027
Supermarket systems	1,400 interim; 150 or 300 from 2032	January 1, 2027; January 1, 2032 (installation)

The 150 limit generally applies to systems with 200 lbs (90.72 kg) or more of refrigerant, and 300 applies to smaller systems and the high-temperature side of cascade systems. Check EPA’s Technology Transitions page for the full rule before you specify a system.

In short, the banned refrigerants for new U.S. equipment are CFCs and R-22, while high-GWP HFCs are restricted by equipment type rather than banned outright. R-404A is being phased out of most new commercial refrigeration under these limits, and R-410A cannot be used in new residential and light commercial air conditioners manufactured or imported from January 1, 2025 (limit 700), although systems built before that date can still be installed.

Can You Still Use R-22, R-404A or R-134a Equipment?

Yes, you can still use and service existing R-22, R-404A, and R-134a equipment; the rules limit new equipment, not already installed systems. You can keep running a working unit and have it repaired with the refrigerant on its data plate.

R-22 repairs must use reclaimed or previously produced refrigerant, as no new R-22 is made or imported. R-404A and R-134a are not banned: they are restricted in most new equipment, but they remain legal for servicing existing systems.

The trade-off is cost. As production of R-22 and high-GWP HFCs shrinks, refrigerant prices rise, and a large leak becomes an expensive repair. When an older unit needs a compressor or a major leak repair, compare the repair cost with the price of a new unit before deciding.

Common Refrigerant Replacements

Old refrigerants can be replaced with new types of refrigerants. The table shows common refrigerant replacements, including the retrofit option for an existing system and the refrigerant you will typically find in new equipment that replaces it.

Old refrigerant	Retrofit option (existing system)	Typical refrigerant in new equipment
R-22	R-407C, R-438A	R-410A, R-454B, R-32
R-404A	R-448A, R-449A	R-290, R-744, R-454C
R-134a	R-513A, R-450A	R-290, R-600a
R-410A	No drop-in retrofit	R-454B, R-32

Only use refrigerants approved by the equipment manufacturer. All refrigerants are chemicals that work only with properly designed components, and some can damage seals, rubber hoses, or the internal parts of condensers and evaporators. A retrofit often needs new oil, an expansion-valve adjustment, and new labeling, and the wrong refrigerant can void the warranty or damage the compressor; your technician should make the final call.

How Refrigerant Numbers Work (R-Numbers Explained)

R-numbers follow ASHRAE Standard 34: 400-series are zeotropic blends, 500-series are azeotropic blends, 600-series are organic compounds, and 700-series are inorganic compounds. So, R-404A and R-448A are zeotropic blends, and R-507A and R-513A are azeotropic blends.

• 600-series: R-600a is isobutane.
• 700-series: The last two digits are the molar mass, so R-717 is ammonia (molar mass 17), and R-744 is CO2 (molar mass 44).
• R-290: Propane is not in the 600 series; it is numbered in the methane/ethane/propane series.
• HFOs: Unsaturated compounds such as R-1234yf use a four-digit number starting with 1.

There is no fixed number of refrigerants: new designations are added every year, and zeotropic blends now reach numbers such as R-4106A.

How to Choose Refrigeration Equipment by Refrigerant

For new commercial equipment, EPA rules largely set the refrigerant, so compare units on efficiency, service availability, and total cost of ownership. In the food and beverage industry, R-290 is now the most common refrigerant in new self-contained equipment, while walk-ins and larger systems commonly use R-448A, R-449A, or R-744. When choosing a refrigerator, freezer, or ice machine, use this checklist to compare the units on your shortlist:

• Confirm compliance: Check that the refrigerant meets the current federal GWP limit for that equipment type and any state or local rules.
• Compare energy efficiency: Choose ENERGY STAR certified models where available and compare rated daily energy use (kWh/day), since efficiency affects both sustainability and profitability.
• Check safety class and charge: Note whether the unit uses an A1, A2L, or A3 refrigerant; check flammability, toxicity, and operating pressure; and confirm the charge on the spec sheet.
• Confirm local technician availability: Make sure a service company near you is trained and equipped for A2L and A3 refrigerants.
• Estimate lifetime cost: Add purchase price, installation, energy use over the unit’s service life, maintenance, and refrigerant costs.

A Brief History of Refrigerants

Refrigerants moved from natural substances to synthetic chemicals and are now moving back toward natural and low-GWP options. Early natural refrigerants were often dangerous or flammable, so non-flammable, non-toxic R-12 took over until researchers discovered its ozone-depleting effects in the 1970s and 1980s.

Period	Milestone
1800s	Early systems use natural refrigerants: ether, ammonia, and CO2
1928	Thomas Midgley Jr. develops R-12, the first widely used CFC
1987	Montreal Protocol started the CFC phaseout (HCFCs added in 1992)
1990s–2000s	HFCs such as R-134a and R-404A become standard
2016 / 2020	Kigali Amendment and U.S. AIM Act start the HFC phasedown

FAQs

Conclusion

Choose new equipment with compliant, low-GWP natural refrigerants; when you buy new equipment, choose a unit with a compliant, low-GWP refrigerant, such as R-290 for reach-ins and prep tables. Check the data plate on your existing units so you know which refrigerant they use before a service call, and keep running them until repair costs outweigh replacement.

Chef’s Deal carries R-290 commercial refrigeration, walk-in coolers and freezers, and ice machines from leading brands, and our team can help you choose new equipment that meets current EPA rules for your kitchen.