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Mechanical / HVACaka: coolantaka: R-410Aaka: R-32aka: HFC refrigerant

Refrigerant

In Plain English

The fluid that circulates in an air conditioning system and transfers heat from inside a building to the outside.

Definition

A working fluid in a refrigeration or heat pump system that absorbs heat at low pressure by evaporating and releases heat at high pressure by condensing. Refrigerants cycle continuously through the compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator. Modern refrigerants are selected for low global warming potential (GWP) and zero ozone depletion potential; common examples include R-410A, R-32, and R-454B.

Example

The new chiller uses R-1234ze refrigerant with a GWP of less than 7, meeting the low-GWP requirements of the 2024 California energy code.

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