Global Warming Potential, or GWP, is at the heart of refrigerant regulation and selection. If you work with refrigerants in the UK, understanding GWP helps you choose compliant gases and plan for the phase-down.
What is GWP?
GWP measures how much heat a gas traps in the atmosphere compared with carbon dioxide, which has a GWP of 1, over a 100-year period. A refrigerant with a GWP of 2000 traps 2000 times more heat than the same mass of CO2. Lower is better.
GWP of common refrigerants
- R404A: ~3922 (very high — being phased down)
- R410A: ~2088
- R32: ~675
- R454B: ~466
- R1234yf: <1
- R290 (propane): ~3
Why GWP matters
The F-Gas Regulation uses GWP to drive down the total climate impact of refrigerants via a quota system measured in CO2-equivalent tonnes. High-GWP gases are being restricted and become more expensive, pushing the industry towards lower-GWP alternatives.
FAQ
How do I calculate CO2-equivalent? Multiply the refrigerant charge (in kg) by its GWP. For example, 5kg of R410A equals about 10.4 tonnes CO2-equivalent.
Compare low-GWP refrigerants in our online shop.