Why Leer Transitioned to (HFC-Free) HFO Foam

Being your trusted partner temperature-controlled storage solutions is part of Leer’s core identity and the reason each of us come to work every day. And we’re proud to be able to help our customers keep their customers happy by providing temperature-controlled storage solutions that keep everything from beer to ice cream appropriately chilled.

But we, at Leer, want to keep our natural beauty and continue enjoying our four great Midwestern seasons. Which is just one of the reasons why we switched to eco-friendly refrigerants. The other is quality performance. By choosing refrigerants that are not harmful to the planet, we’re also choosing the highest performing refrigeration components, giving our customers the best and the safest equipment available. Putting aside the environment, the performance benefits alone validate these transitions.

What are HFCs?

HFCs, or Hydrofluorocarbons, are greenhouse gases. More specifically, they’re contributors to the rising earth temperatures. Usually when we hear about greenhouse gases, we think of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a naturally occurring gas but in large quantities threatens to make our atmosphere hotter. But HFCs are much worse – especially when they combine with other noxious gases included in many types of refrigeration equipment.

Part of the problem is the longevity of coolers, freezers, and air conditioners, whose life spans can be 10 years or more. This causes the problem of “HFC banks,” which refers to the phenomena of these appliances releasing their HFCs into the atmosphere, many years after legislation bans them.

Policies are put in place that will decrease production of HFCs to 15% of current levels within the next few decades, preventing billions of tons of HFC emissions.

And at Leer, we are committed to staying at the forefront of our industry in quality and safety.

We transitioned away from HFC’s nasty big brother CFCs in the early 90s, when the evidence showed us how harmful those were. Now, we’re pleased to do the same after learning what HFCs can do.

We’re committed to rolling out eco-friendly refrigeration to help protect our community and provide our customers with the best performing products on the market.

What are HFOs?

Now meet HFOs, or Hydrofluoroolefins. With just 0.1% of the global-warming potential (GWP) of HFCs, a short atmospheric life, and zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), HFOs are the way to go. They’re high performing and have little ecological impact.

Are HFOs less effective? Not at all, in fact, they hold a competitive edge over HFCs in performance.

HFOs are relatively new and are poised to take over the refrigerant market. We’re pleased to already be incorporating them into our product lines.

What are HFC-Free Foams?

HFC-free foams are exactly what they sound like. They’re the foaming agents that make up insulation in your temperature-controlled storage solution. And now they can come, HFC-free. This is crucial to making refrigeration more environmentally friendly as until now, it’s been multiple components causing the ecological problems.

In essence, blowing agents are gasses that help foam, in its liquid form, become solid. The substance helps harden the liquid into the foamed in place insulation our products are known for. They also produce gases and air pockets you can see in the hard foam which helps provides the insulative properties. For keeping things cold, this insulation is crucial.

Before 1990, chlorofluorcarbons (CFCs) were the main blowing agent for foam insulation. These ozone eaters were banned by the 1990 Montreal Protocol. The world then moved to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which as we have discussed, were better but still harmful to the environment.

But now, we’re using foaming agents that do not include HFCs.

Don’t Worry! We Never Sacrifice Quality

One of the common fears when eco-friendly alternatives are implemented, across industries, is its impact on performance.

Fortunately, by moving to HFOs and HFC-Free Foams, Leer’s product performance will actually increase.

Part of being sustainable means focusing back on quality and that’s a trend we can get behind. If your refrigeration needs parts replaced every year, that’s not good for your bottom line or the planet. We aim to provide products that last. It’s a win-win-win: high-quality products, profits, and the planet.

Our Positively Impacted Products

Focusing on being eco-friendly means we’re transitioning (or have already) our product lines.

See which products we use HFO foam and are now HFC-free!

We take service seriously. To our customers and to our communities. To keep our customers and our communities healthy, safe, and supplied with reliable solutions for years and years to come, we believe that our service should also extend to the environment. That means switching to eco-friendly refrigerants that keep our shared ozone and atmosphere safe.

Want to learn more about Leer’s commitment to eco-friendly refrigeration?

Contact Us

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