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Abstract

This project aims to provide evidence-based recommendations on the most suitable heat pump refrigerant technologies for the University of British Columbia (UBC) to adopt in support of its campus-wide decarbonization strategy. To achieve this, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted covering: technoeconomic considerations, environmental impacts, safety and health, economic feasibilities. The analysis includes both conventional and emerging refrigerants, spanning synthetic options such as HFCs and HFOs, as well as natural refrigerants like CO₂, ammonia, and propane. Particular attention was given to the Canadian regulatory landscape, including the Montreal Protocol, the Kigali Amendment, and federal policies such as SOR/2016-137 and SOR/2022-110. These regulations collectively signal an accelerated phase-down of high-GWP HFCs, raising concerns about the long-term availability and legal compliance of HFC-based systems—many of which are currently in use at UBC. To assess potential alternatives, a consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed across three scenarios: continued reliance on HFCs, transition to HFOs, and a full shift to natural refrigerants. The results indicate that propane (R-290) demonstrates the most favourable overall performance due to its low environmental footprint, high efficiency, economic viability, and compatibility with both residential and district-scale applications. While CO₂ and ammonia offer strong thermodynamic advantages, they require significant upfront investment and more stringent safety measures. HFOs serve as a transitional solution but present uncertainties in terms of long-term environmental impact and high cost. In all, the report recommends that UBC prioritize the adoption of natural refrigerants, particularly R-290, in future heat pump installations. HFOs may serve as interim replacements in existing systems until natural alternatives are feasible. This strategy supports UBC’s climate commitments and ensures resilience under evolving regulatory and market conditions. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”