Alliance One-Pagers

HFCs An Energy-Efficient Solution

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are viable and proven solutions to the problems addressed by the Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocol processes. They are energy efficient, low-in-toxicity, cost effective and can be used safely. Governments and industry support their global use in applications which meet important environmental and societal needs, including metered dose inhalers, insulation, refrigeration, air conditioning, technical aerosols, and fire extinguishers.

The Parties should recognize and support the necessary role HFCs will play in solving the climate change issue.

HFCs are part of the Global Climate Change SOLUTION

The substitution for ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) has reduced the greenhouse gas emission impact. Developing countries can obtain similar results with early substitution to HFCs.

[ GWP-Weighted Fluorocarbon Production Graph ]

Use of HFCs reduces total greenhouse gas contributions compared to CFCs. Current technology has reduced fluorocarbon greenhouse gas contributions by over 80% since 1990. Clearly, a true scientific representation indicates that HFCs contribute far less potential impact to climate change than their precursors. Early substitution, particularly in developing countries, will contribute a favorable impact to the Kyoto Protocol.

[ Relative Projected Contrib. of Greenhouse Gases ]

HFCs will represent less than 2% of all greenhouse gas emissions in 2000. Realistic projections show that emissions will be less than 3% in 2050.

HFCs provide significant energy efficiency improvement

Integrating HFCs and Energy Efficiency

Various analyses indicate that HFCs reduce energy consumption in many applications. For instance, a household refrigerator, using HFCs consumes 10% less energy than a comparable hydrocarbon unit (TEWI III report). Similar savings are seen in other air conditioning and refrigeration applications and in insulation products. Specifically, HFC blown foam would provide energy savings up to 15% (The Influence of Global Environmental Factors on the Selection of Polyurethane and Other Building Insulation Materials, P. Ashford, 1997).

Energy Efficiency

Global growth in energy related greenhouse gas emissions shows the critical requirement for energy efficiency to offset some of the growth.

[ Annual Net GHG Emissions Graph ]

HFCs have been adopted by industry because they are the overall best choice for many applications. Governmnents should encourage expanded use of HFCs.

The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy is a leading industry voice that coordinates industry participation in the development of reasonable international and U.S. government policies regarding ozone protection and global climate change.

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The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy
2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 850 - Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: (703) 243-0344 - Fax: (703) 243-2874
E-mail: info@arap.org

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