Which Gas is Used in Refrigerators Nowadays?

Certain things have become so ubiquitous that we don’t think twice about how they function. For instance, we use refrigerators on a daily basis. From quenching our thirst with cold water to preserving the left-overs to consume the next day, refrigerators serve a wide range of purposes. However, when was the last time we really gave a serious thought about how they operate? We know that refrigerators keep our produce and food fresh, but have we ever considered how they go about doing it?

Refrigerators use refrigerant gases to keep the temperatures inside the appliance at desired levels. In fact, when we notice something amiss, or that the appliance isn’t doing its job in its usual efficient manner, we first wonder if there is something wrong with the refrigerant. In essence, refrigerant gas is a chemical gas that has very low evaporation points. This gas is condensed under pressure, which results in it cooling the surrounding air. In refrigerators, these refrigerant gases are subjected to constant evaporation and condensation, which results in the gas throwing out the heat, thereby reducing the temperature inside the refrigerator.

If the gas stops doing its job, not only does the temperature inside the refrigerator increase, but it also results in foul smell and bad odour inside the appliance. Since the advent of refrigerators, multiple gases have been used as refrigerants. However, modern refrigerators commonly use the below-mentioned gases.

Tetrafluoroethane (R-134A)

Most of the fridges today use tetrafluoroethane as the refrigerant gas, as it condenses effectively, and therefore cools down the air better. Furthermore, tetrafluoromethane does not damage the ozone layer and is hence environment-friendly. Fridges started using this gas in the ‘90s, and given its effectiveness, while not harming the environment, it is still the most popular refrigerant gas used in refrigerators today.

Freon gas (R-438A)

Freon is often used as a substitute for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), as it does not impact the ozone layer. It can be found in modern-day fridges, with brands like LG commonly using Freon as the refrigerant gas in their refrigerator models.

Chlorofluorocarbon (R-22)

Talking about refrigerant gases and their effect on the environment, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are considered to be harmful to the environment, and cause ozone layer depletion. While that remains true, fridges today also use CFCs, as they can be used as pressurized liquids. They expand in gaseous form and absorb the heat, thereby cooling the surrounding air, and reduce the temperature inside the fridge. The gas that is heated is passed through the compressor, in order to remove the heat, after which it is once again pressurized to turn into liquid form.

CFCs have been used in refrigerators since the early ‘70s, and continue to remain popular in refrigerator models.

Polystyrene

Polystyrene is an insulator, and is used as internal padding in fridges to keep the heat out of the appliance. Considering it is an insulator, refrigerator models with polystyrene are inexpensive, and it is also effective in keeping the heat out of the refrigerator. Furthermore, polystyrene was first used way back in the 19th century, as a refrigerant alternative.

Acrylonitrile

Another popular insulator that is used in modern-day refrigerators is acrylonitrile, which acts similar to polystyrene. Insulators essentially act as barriers, and do not let heat transfer take place between the appliance and the surroundings. Considering there is no heat transfer, the temperature inside the appliance remains the same.

That said, conventional refrigerators used in our homes, such as LG fridges or Samsung models use either CFC, Freon gas or tetrafluoroethane. However, brands that are environmentally-conscious use either Freon or tetrafluoroethane, because of CFCs’ harmful effects on the environment.

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