1. First cost
The initial investment in an ammonia process cooling system can be significantly more expensive. Higher costs stem from hours spent to design the system, expensive stainless-steel piping required to withstand ammonia’s corrosive properties, and finally special devices that are mounted and required to monitor the safety of the system.

Standard design, production and components allow manufacturers to offer HFO-based systems at a lower cost.
And when it’s not the right time for capital investments, solutions for long term rental of HFO-based equipment are also available with Trane Eaasy.


2. Toxicity
Toxicity and the safety of people and our environment should be taken seriously. It is well known that Ammonia is extremely toxic. HFO refrigerant such as R1234ze, on the other hand, is a substance with very low toxicity.


3. Maintenance
Regular maintenance will always be needed on any process cooling system. But some systems are easier to maintain than others.

Because of ammonia toxic properties, very intense safety precautions must be taken when handling or performing maintenance. Facility managers and technicians must anticipate and manage the risks to people and the surroundings.

Maintenance on a system with R1234ze can be performed with limited risks. In addition, Trane technicians are fully trained on safe maintenance of units containing HFOs. Our extensive service network is available 24/7 to intervene whenever required.


4. GWP
In order to reach sustainability targets, we cannot neglect the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of each fluid. R1234ze is a near-zero HFO, with a GWP of less than 1, which means it has a lower impact on Global Warming than CO2. It should be noted that R1234ze doesn’t form TFA. Ammonia has a GWP of zero. The two fluids are very comparable from this perspective.


5. Lead time
Manufacturers like Trane build standardized products in factories with standard components, giving way to very attractive lead times to deliver the appropriate system with R1234ze on short notice.

Non-standardized products like ammonia-based system take longer to design and manufacture before they can ship to be installed.


6. Performance
The last but equally important criterion to consider is performance. Standardized products such as chillers with R1234ze have underdone rigorous R&D procedures to offer the best performance and efficiency levels.  Units are tested and certified by third parties to prove that catalog performance is truly delivered.

As long as Ammonia systems are not certified by third party certifying bodies such as Eurovent or AHRI, performances will lack this level of validation.

HFO-based systems are the right choice, naturally!

Today’s specially designed process cooling systems operating with R1234ze have clear advantages compared to ammonia-based systems that have been traditionally used.

HFO is the best choice of refrigerant to supply your cooling system. It offers a safe, low cost and efficient alternative to Ammonia based systems traditionally installed in dairies, food processing, breweries and other mild freezing applications.

If you require a sustainable, cost-effective, safe and high performing process cooling system, contact your local Trane office to find out more about what Trane can do for you.

See Sustainable low temperature HVAC systems

Learn about R1234ze Refrigerant