F gases

To help develop this article, click ‘Edit this article’ above.

Fluorinated gases (F gases) are used as refrigerants in buildings, for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, to provide cooling for refrigeration or to provide cooling for industrial processes.

F gases are not ozone depleting and they are often used as substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC’s). However they are powerful greenhouse gases (up to 20,000 times more powerful than CO2) and are listed as part of the Kyoto Protocol basket of greenhouse gases.

As emissions of F gases increase, so their use is coming under greater scrutiny.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are F gases. HFC’s are commonly used in buildings and include refrigerants such as R134a, R404A, R407C and R507C.

Other F gases include perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).

[edit] Find out more

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Air conditioning.
• Air conditioning inspection.
• Cooling systems for buildings.
• Greenhouse gas.
• HVAC.
• Ozone depleting substance.
• R22 phase out.
• Refrigerants.
• Refrigerant selection.

[edit] External references

• Gov.uk Managing fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances. 2013
• European Commission, Fluorinated greenhouse gases.