What type of refrigerant is often used in chillers?

The choice of HFCs such as R-134a or R-410A as the correct answer reflects the modern trend in refrigerants utilized in chillers. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are favored because they provide effective cooling performance while having lower ozone depletion potential compared to older refrigerants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

Keenly, HFCs such as R-134a and R-410A meet the requirements for higher efficiency and are less harmful to the environment, particularly concerning ozone depletion, which is a critical factor considered in HVAC applications. R-410A, for instance, is a blend that has become quite common in residential and commercial air conditioning systems due to its ability to operate efficiently at lower temperatures.

Other refrigerant options, while commonly used in past systems or specific applications, do not align as closely with current practices for chillers. For example, while Freon (CFCs) used to be prevalent, they are now largely phased out due to their high ozone depletion potential. HCFCs, although better than CFCs, are also less favored as they are considered transitional substances and still