Doesn air conditioning damage the ozone layer?
No, refrigerant technology has come a long way, CFCs are gone and HCFCs are almost gone, we now use HFCs. These modern refrigerants such as R134a, R407c and R410a have zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). However, these gasses do have a significant global warming potential (GWP) but only when released to atmosphere. With good refrigerant handling practice and proper maintenance, this should never happen. When used for heating instead of gas boilers or electric heater elements, air conditioning uses FAR less energy in terms of fossil fuels, this is obviously good for the environment as it lowers the carbon footprint. New refrigerants are emerging slowly and are being used by a small number of refrigeration suppliers, these are the companies who make chiller cabinets for supermarkets etc. The most exciting new refrigerant is ordinary carbon dioxide, which promises better ‘heating mode’ performance for ac systems in winter, UK conditions. It is just starting to become avialable in heatpu
