What is Refrigerant: A Guide to Refrigerant for Commercial Equipment

Refrigerant is an essential chemical that ensures equipment can keep temperatures cold and operate efficiently. Handling refrigerants is a serious duty that should only be performed by technicians who have been properly certified. If you need to start looking into what is refrigerant for commercial equipment, we have the guide below to help you learn more. We’ll walk you through why refrigerant is important, the types commonly used and some of the equipment that uses refrigerants. 

Why is Refrigerant Essential for Equipment?

So why is refrigerant so important to commercial equipment? The simple answer is that refrigerants are what units use to keep temperatures cold. They enable systems to move heat from one place to another. Refrigerant evaporates at a low pressure to absorb heat, then condenses at a higher pressure to reject heat. This allows ACs, heat pumps and refrigeration systems to do their job efficiently. The type of refrigerant a system uses depends on factors like capacity, efficiency, compressor design, safety and environmental impact (GWP). 

What Are the Types of Refrigerants?

So what are the types of refrigerants? While some refrigerants are being phased out due to new regulations, the main ones to note are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and natural refrigerants. 

What are Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)?

Hydrofluorocarbons are a mix of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon. While these have been used in HVAC equipment for years, in 2026 they’re starting to phase out these refrigerants due to their high global warming potential (GWP). Some HFCs that you can find in commercial equipment could be:

• R-134a
• R-404A
• R-410A
• R-507

What are Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)?

HFO refrigerants are hydrogen, fluorine and carbon but are different from HFCs. These have low-GWP and are starting to replace HFCs in a variety of commercial units. Here are some HFOs to be aware of when you’re learning more about refrigerants:

• R-1234yf
• R-1234ze
• R‑454B
• R‑454A/C

What are Natural Refrigerants?

Natural refrigerants include R-290 (Propane), R-600a (Isobutane), R-744 (CO₂) and R-717 (Ammonia). These types of refrigerants have a high efficiency and long-term reliability, which is why they are becoming more popular in 2026. Compared to other refrigerants, they have a lower GWP. It’s still important to use precaution and follow proper procedures when handling these, as they can still be flammable or toxic. 

What Equipment Uses Refrigerants?

There are a variety of commercial equipment that uses refrigerants. From foodservice appliances to HVAC systems, here are some equipment you’ll run into when handling refrigerants:

• Heat pumps 
• Central air conditioners
• Mini‑splits
• Remote condensing units
• Self‑contained merchandisers
• Cold storage
• Refrigeration systems
• Rooftop units

Refrigerant Regulations – 2026 policy changes

Changes are being made to refrigerant regulations in 2026. The AIM act is phasing out high-GWP refrigerants like HFCs, which means alternative refrigerants with low-GWP will be replacing these. According to the Zero-Zone news on 2026 refrigeration, retail and commercial equipment will have GWP limits of either 150 or 300, depending on the type of equipment. Meanwhile, industrial refrigeration will have GWP limits of either 700 or 300, based on the type of equipment. Some of the refrigerants that are being phased out that you should know include: 

• R-404A
• R-448A
• R-134A

What Refrigerants are Banned or Need Alternatives?

Every year brings new regulations and protections, which means some refrigerants will be phased out. According to the EPA, all HCFCs and CFCs are phased out and banned from use, usually due to their high-GWP or flammability. Some of the refrigerants that have been phased out or banned are:

• R-22
• R-123
• R-124
• R-11
• R-12
• R-502
• CFC-12
• R-141b
• R-176
• R-403B

If you want to refresh your safety knowledge, check out our guide on refrigerant safety tips for technicians.