> The gases currently used in the vast majority of refrigerators and air conditioners —hydrofluorocarbons and hydrocarbons (HFCs and HCs) — are toxic and flammable. When they leak into the air, they also contribute to global warming.
R-600a (isobutane) only has 3.3 times the GWP (global warming potential) of CO2 and for a fridge you only need about 80g. For safety reasons, the limit is 150g.
For comparison, the GWP of R-132a is 1,430 and R-12's is 10,900.
R-600a has mostly replaced R-132a in Europe.
Isobutane is of course flammable, but the operational pressure is very low. Aerosol cans also use isobutane. It's comparable to those.
R-600a (isobutane) only has 3.3 times the GWP (global warming potential) of CO2 and for a fridge you only need about 80g. For safety reasons, the limit is 150g.
For comparison, the GWP of R-132a is 1,430 and R-12's is 10,900.
R-600a has mostly replaced R-132a in Europe.
Isobutane is of course flammable, but the operational pressure is very low. Aerosol cans also use isobutane. It's comparable to those.