The opportunity for rapid transition to energy efficient low-GWP alternatives for building air [conditioning] chillers.

This paper identifies immediately available non-flammable, low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants for building air conditioning chillers that are energy efficient and cost-effective. It contrasts the life-cycle climate performance (LCCP) and life-cycle ownership cost of available alternatives.

Next generation refrigerant solutions for scroll chillers can improve energy efficiency by about 5% and reduce the GWP by about two-thirds. For centrifugal chillers, an industry transformation to low pressure refrigerants will result in unprecedented energy performance. The higher cost of refrigerant is rapidly paid back in energy savings and carbon value. The financial and climate benefits of rapid adoption outweigh the benefits of waiting for regulatory approval and commercialization of identified alternatives. Building owners worldwide should avoid obsolete chillers dependent on high-GWP HFC refrigerants scheduled for phasedown under the Montreal Protocol and should instead choose chillers utilizing next-generation refrigerants or easily retrofit to nextgeneration refrigerants (retrofit ready).