Refrigerants are chemicals that absorb heat and create cool air once they run through compressors and an evaporator. Air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, and dehumidifiers contain synthetic refrigerants that are explosive and toxic. 

Refrigerants are also strong greenhouse gasses, with global warming potential (gwp) thousands of times that of carbon dioxide, so it is important to prevent them from leaking out of appliances.

Refrigeration requires a large amount of energy, and appliances release excess heat into our atmosphere as a result of the process. The cooling industry accounts for around 10% of global CO2 emissions. As temperatures around the world continue to rise due to climate change, the demand for cooling will increase too.

pathways:

07.12.2020 / BBC / How your fridge is heating up the planet

Product Stewardship Institute / REFRIGERANT-CONTAINING APPLIANCES

Darment / Refrigerant applications – where are refrigerants applied in real life?