No ideal alternative for CFCs has been developed, and some alternatives are not suitable for retrofits.

See EPAs list of substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap).

table 1. ozone Depletion and Global Warming Potentials of Refrigerants (100-Year Values)
Chlorofluorocarbons

ODP

GWP

Common Building Applications

cfc-11

1.0

4,680

centrifugal chillers

cfc-12

1.0

10,720

Refrigerators, chillers

cfc-114

0.94

9,800

centrifugal chillers

cfc-500

0.605

7,900

centrifugal chillers, humidifiers

cfc-502

0.221

4,600

Low-temperature refrigeration

Hcfc-22

0.04

1,780

air-conditioning, chillers

Hcfc-123

0.02

76

cfc-11 replacement

Hfc-23

~0

12,240

ultra-low-temperature refrigeration

Hfc-134a

~0

1,320

cfc-12 or Hcfc-22 replacement

Hfc-245fa

~0

1,020

insulation agent, centrifugal chillers

Hfc-404a

~0

3,900

Low-temperature refrigeration

Hfc-407c

~0

1,700

Hcfc-22 replacement

Hfc-410a

~0

1,890

air conditioning

Hfc-507a

~0

3,900

Low-temperature refrigeration

carbon dioxide (co2)

1.0

ammonia (nH3)

Propane

ea
nc

Prerequisite 3

scHooLs

Prerequisite 3

cs

Prerequisite 3

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

Hydrofluorocarbons

Natural Refrigerants

Economic analysis
An alternative compliance path requires an audit by a third party showing that it is not economically
feasible to replace or convert the system. (Both replacement and conversion must be assessed.) The
replacement or conversion of a chiller is considered not economically feasible if the simple payback
of the replacement or conversion will be longer than 10 years. The economic assessment must be
performed by a third party, defined as a qualified company that is not otherwise employed by the
building owner or property manager.
Minimize Refrigerant Leakage
Refrigerants cannot damage the atmosphere if they are contained and never released to the
environment. Unfortunately, in real-world applications, some or all refrigerants in HVAC&R
equipment leak out, often undetected, during installation, operation, charging, servicing, or
decommissioning of equipment, both indoor and outdoor.
Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act of 1990, EPAs regulations
n

require practices that maximize recycling of ozone-depleting compounds (both CFCs and
HCFCs) during the servicing and disposal of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment;

set certification requirements for recycling and recovery equipment, technicians, and
reclaimers, and prohibit the sale of refrigerant to uncertified technicians;

require persons servicing or disposing of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment to

confirm with EPA that they have acquired recycling or recovery equipment and are complying
with the requirements of the rule;

2009 EDition

LEED REfEREncE GuiDE foR GREEn BuiLDinG DEsiGn anD constRuction

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