How can I tell if a fridge/freezer contains ozone depleting substances?
The age of the appliance is in general an important determinant: • prior to 1994 almost all appliances used CFCs as both refrigerant (CFC R12) and as foam blowing agent (CFC R11); • after 1994 these were mainly replaced with HFC as refrigerant (R134a) and HCFC foam blowing agent (R141b or R142b/R22); • modern fridges are generally manufactured using HFC (R134a) or hydrocarbon (HC600a) refrigerants and hydrocarbon blowing agents. Most fridges are also marked with an ‘appliance rating plate’ – a metal plate or sticky label which is found on the back of the appliance. The plate contains information about the appliance, for example model and serial number. In most cases it will also state what refrigerant was used in the appliance. Fridges that are marked with R12 or R134a on the plate will most probably have CFC or HCFC in the insulation foam and should be treated accordingly, unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise.
