Refrigerant Types Explained: R1234yf vs R600a vs R134a — GWP 150, “Eco” Meaning, and What It Means for Fridges in Singapore

If you’ve been reading fridge specifications, you may see refrigerant codes like R600a, R134a, or something like “1234” (often R1234yf, sometimes mistaken/typed as “1234ay”). These codes matter because refrigerants differ in:

1. Climate impact (GWP)

2. Safety classification (flammability/toxicity)

3. Efficiency and real-world running cost

This article breaks it down in a fridge-buyer-friendly way—especially relevant for Singapore, where fridges run 24/7 and energy cost adds up.

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1) What is GWP, and why does “GWP 150” keep showing up?

GWP (Global Warming Potential) measures how much heat a gas traps in the atmosphere compared to CO₂ over a fixed time (commonly 100 years). CO₂ has GWP = 1.

So when you see:

• R134a ≈ 1430
  it means 1 kg of leaked R134a can have a similar warming effect to ~1430 kg of CO₂ (over 100 years, using commonly referenced values).

Why “150”?

A GWP of 150 became a widely used policy/industry threshold because some regulations restrict higher-GWP refrigerants in certain equipment categories. For example, the EU banned domestic refrigeration equipment containing HFCs with GWP ≥150 from 1 Jan 2015.

Even if you’re not selling into the EU, that “GWP 150” benchmark heavily influenced global product design and marketing terms like “eco refrigerant”.

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2) The “big 3” you’ll see (R600a, R134a, R1234yf)

Below is a practical comparison for fridge context.

Quick comparison table

Important note about the names you typed:

• “1234ay” is most likely R1234yf (common “1234” refrigerant in mainstream talk).

• “132” in fridge discussions is often a mix-up with R134a (the common legacy refrigerant people mean).

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3) So… which refrigerant is “more eco”?

Marketing often uses “eco” loosely. In reality, there are two separate things:

A) “Eco” as in lower climate impact if leaked

This mainly refers to low-GWP refrigerants, like:

• R600a (very low GWP)

• R1234yf (very low GWP)

and contrasts with:

• R134a (high GWP)

B) “Eco” as in lower electricity use

This depends more on:

• compressor/inverter design

• insulation quality

• heat exchanger design

• control logic

• how you use the fridge (door opening, ambient heat, ventilation clearance)

In Singapore, this part matters a lot because your fridge runs all day. That’s why NEA requires/encourages checking the Energy Label for refrigerators—so buyers can compare energy efficiency.

Bottom line:
A fridge can have a low-GWP “eco refrigerant” and still be costly to run if it’s inefficient. Likewise, an efficient fridge reduces electricity-related emissions every day.

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4) Why R600a became so common in home fridges (despite being flammable)

You’ll notice many household fridges use R600a because it’s:

• Very low GWP (good for climate policies)

• Often associated with strong efficiency performance in domestic refrigeration

But yes—R600a is flammable (A3).
That’s why manufacturers design systems with:

• small refrigerant charge sizes

• sealed systems

• safety standards for components and servicing practices

For normal home use, it’s widely adopted globally—just make sure servicing is done properly by trained technicians (especially if there is a leak).

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5) Does “GWP < 150” automatically mean better for the environment?

Not automatically. It’s a good sign, but a complete view includes:

1. Direct emissions (refrigerant leakage over product life)

2. Indirect emissions (electricity used for 8–12 years of operation)

For many households, electricity consumption can dominate lifetime impact—so pairing low GWP + high energy efficiency is the real win.

A practical buyer checklist for Singapore:

• Check the NEA Energy Label rating and estimated cost info

• Ensure proper ventilation clearance (hot sides/back need airflow)

• Don’t overload the fridge / keep door seal clean (reduces wasted energy)

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6) FAQ

Is R600a better than R134a for fridges?

From a climate perspective, yes—R600a has far lower GWP than R134a.
But it’s flammable (A3), so safety-compliant design and correct servicing matter.

What does “Eco refrigerant” mean on product listings?

Usually it means low-GWP refrigerant (commonly R600a in fridges, sometimes HFOs like R1234yf in other applications).
It does not guarantee low electricity consumption—check the NEA Energy Label too.

Is R1234yf used in normal home fridges?

It’s widely known for automotive A/C and is low GWP and A2L mildly flammable.
For household fridges, R600a is typically more common.

What does “GWP 150” matter to me in Singapore?

It’s a strong signal that the refrigerant is not a high-GWP legacy gas like R134a, and it aligns with how many markets define “low climate impact refrigerants.”