Sustainability at Bohn
Building a pathway to lower-impact refrigeration through responsible refrigerant choices, energy-efficient designs, and accountable manufacturing practices.
Building a pathway to lower-impact refrigeration through responsible refrigerant choices, energy-efficient designs, and accountable manufacturing practices.
The refrigeration industry faces a defining transition. The Kigali Amendment, EU F-Gas Regulation, and EPA SNAP program are driving a global shift away from high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons. Bohn is committed to supporting this transition by designing equipment platforms that operate safely and efficiently with the next generation of low-GWP and natural refrigerants, while helping our customers reduce total energy consumption across their refrigeration systems.
Bohn equipment is designed and validated for low-GWP refrigerant operation, enabling customers to transition from legacy HFCs to more environmentally responsible alternatives.
Every Bohn product is engineered to minimize energy consumption across all operating conditions, not just at the AHRI rating point.
Our manufacturing operations pursue measurable environmental improvements through ISO 14001-certified processes and continuous reduction targets.
A comparison of refrigerant properties to help you plan your transition strategy. Each option involves trade-offs between environmental impact, safety classification, system cost, and technician training requirements.
| Refrigerant | Type | GWP | Safety Class | Key Consideration | Bohn Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-404A | HFC Blend | 3,922 | A1 (Non-flammable) | Being phased down under Kigali & F-Gas | Current standard platform |
| R-448A | HFO/HFC Blend | 1,387 | A1 | Drop-in for R-404A; ~65% GWP reduction | Validated across all product lines |
| R-449A | HFO/HFC Blend | 1,397 | A1 | Alternative to R-448A with similar performance | Validated across all product lines |
| R-290 (Propane) | Natural / HC | 3 | A3 (Flammable) | Charge limits apply; excellent thermodynamic efficiency | Available in select condensing units |
| R-744 (CO2) | Natural | 1 | A1 | High operating pressure; excels in cold climates | Heat exchanger compatibility validated |
| R-717 (Ammonia) | Natural | 0 | B2L (Toxic, Low Flam.) | Industrial standard; requires specialized handling | Evaporator coils available for NH3 systems |
There is no universally optimal refrigerant. The best choice depends on your application type, local regulations, facility constraints, and long-term compliance strategy.
Natural refrigerants offer zero or near-zero GWP and freedom from patent-dependent supply chains. R-290 (propane) delivers COP values 5-10% higher than R-404A in medium-temperature applications. R-717 (ammonia) remains the industrial standard for large cold storage, with decades of proven performance above 100 kW capacity. R-744 (CO2) transcritical systems are increasingly viable, particularly in climates where ambient temperatures remain below 25C for most of the year.
Constraints to evaluate: R-290 is classified A3 (flammable), limiting charge sizes to 150g per circuit in some jurisdictions under IEC 60335-2-89. R-717 is toxic (B2L classification) and requires specialized training, dedicated machine rooms, and ammonia detection systems. R-744 operates at pressures up to 120 bar, requiring heavier-gauge piping and components rated for high-pressure service.
HFO-based blends provide a pragmatic transition path for existing HFC infrastructure. R-448A and R-449A are A1-classified (non-flammable, non-toxic), can be used as near drop-in replacements for R-404A, and reduce GWP by approximately 64%. Existing technician certifications remain valid, and retrofit costs are typically 30-40% lower than converting to natural refrigerant systems.
Constraints to evaluate: GWP values of 1,387-1,397 may not satisfy long-term F-Gas phase-down targets beyond 2030. HFO components (R-1234yf, R-1234ze) are subject to emerging concerns about PFAS (trifluoroacetic acid) environmental persistence, a topic under active regulatory review by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Supply chain pricing is influenced by patent holders, unlike commodity-priced natural refrigerants.
Bohn encourages prospective customers to independently validate our sustainability and performance claims. We offer the following verification pathways:
All Bohn certified products are listed in the AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance (ahridirectory.org). Search by model number to confirm rated capacity, EER, and refrigerant compatibility.
We provide evaluation units for qualified projects, allowing your engineering team to measure actual performance under your operating conditions before committing to a full order.
Bohn application engineers conduct complimentary refrigeration energy audits for facilities with cooling loads above 50 kW, including thermal imaging, power logging, and a written report with projected savings from equipment upgrades.
Completed validation of R-448A and R-449A across the full product range. Launched R-290 compatible condensing units for commercial applications.
Transitioning all new unit cooler and condenser models to EC fan motors as standard equipment, eliminating legacy shaded-pole motors from the catalog.
Targeting 20% reduction in manufacturing carbon intensity through process optimization, renewable energy procurement, and supply chain engagement.
Expanding the product line to include equipment optimized for R-290, R-744, and R-717 across all capacity ranges and application types.