Commercial Chiller Refrigerant UK: R134a, R1234ze and HFO Options

Refrigerants Used in UK Commercial Chillers

Commercial water chillers serve office buildings, hotels, hospitals and industrial processes across the UK. The refrigerant choice for chiller applications differs from split AC and direct expansion systems, with different priorities around efficiency, charge size, flammability and future compliance.

R134a — The Legacy Chiller Refrigerant

R134a has long been used in centrifugal and screw chillers for medium-temperature applications. With a GWP of 1430, it remains available under F-Gas quotas but faces long-term restriction. The existing installed base of R134a chillers requires ongoing service and top-up supply.

R1234ze — The Low-GWP Replacement

R1234ze(E) has emerged as the preferred replacement for R134a in large centrifugal chillers. With a GWP of just 1 and similar thermodynamic performance to R134a in chiller applications, major manufacturers including Trane, Carrier and Johnson Controls have launched R1234ze chiller ranges. It is classified A2L (mildly flammable) but its flammability characteristics are very mild at typical operating temperatures.

R513A — Transitional Blend

R513A is an azeotropic blend of R134a and R1234yf with a GWP of approximately 573 — a 60% reduction versus R134a. It is used in some chiller applications as a transitional lower-GWP solution compatible with existing R134a equipment in some cases.

R410A Chillers

Scroll and reciprocating chillers for smaller commercial buildings often use R410A. New chiller models are transitioning to R32 or R454B.

Browse our full refrigerant gas range for all commercial chiller gases.