855773520-LEED-v5-ID-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 148
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This prerequisite references 100-year GWPs assessed in accordance with the IPCC Fourth Assessment report or later.
Reviewing refrigerant properties during the design process allows teams to address high GWP refrigerants and find suitable alternatives before construction begins. As the industry continues to develop new alternative refrigerants, projects can find cost-effective solutions that also meet efficiency and environmental goals.
Equipment with GWP > 700 During the design process, if the specifications reference equipment with refrigerant GWP exceeding 700 or do not specify the refrigerant(s) that can be used, develop a list of alternative equipment options with refrigerant GWP less than or equal to 700. Review all proposed options with the owner.
Refrigerant properties vary in efficiency, toxicity, flammability, volumetric capacity, and pressure ratings. Not all refrigerants are interchangeable within a piece of equipment or in a system. Therefore, completing this evaluation early in design provides the most benefit.
For applications where GWP less than 700 is impractical, consider the use of reclaimed refrigerant instead of newly manufactured virgin refrigerant, to limit overall impact.
Table 1 provides a common list of refrigerants and their GWP, adapted from the Net Zero Carbon Guide [37] and The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI). [38]
Table 1. Common refrigerants and their applications
| Refrigerant | Classification | GWP | Common System Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
R404A | HFC blend | 3,920 | Low-Medium Temperature Commercial Refrigeration Low-Medium Temperature Industrial Refrigeration Ice Machines |
| R410A | HFC | 2,088 | Conventional VRF systems Heat Pumps Chillers |
| R22 | HCFC | 1,810 | Commercial Refrigeration Industrial Refrigeration Commercial Air Conditioning Residential Air Conditioning |
| R134a | HFC | 1,430 | Heat Pumps |
37 “Refrigerants and their Contribution to Global Warming”, Net Zero Carbon Guide, accessed March 31, 2025, https://www.netzerocarbonguide.co.uk/guide/designing-and-building/heating-your-building/refrigerants-and-their-contribution-to- global-warming. 38 “Refrigerant Table: Explanation and Glossary of Terms”, The Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), accessed March 31, 2025, https://www.hrai.ca/uploads/userfiles/files/refrigerant_table_June2019.pdf.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 137