Convert fluorinated gas emissions to CO2 equivalent. Select from HFCs, PFCs, and SF6 with their GWPs to calculate CO2e for refrigerant leak and industrial reporting.
Fluorinated gases (F-gases) include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). Though emitted in small quantities, they have extremely high global warming potentials — ranging from 1,000 to over 23,000 times CO2. They're used in refrigeration, air conditioning, electrical insulation, and semiconductor manufacturing.
This F-Gas CO2e Calculator converts mass of various F-gases into CO2 equivalent. Select a common gas or enter a custom GWP, then enter the mass released. This is essential for Scope 1 fugitive emission reporting under the GHG Protocol.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol mandates an 80–85% phasedown of HFCs by 2036–2047. Tracking and reducing F-gas emissions is both a regulatory requirement and a significant climate opportunity.
Understanding this metric in precise terms allows energy managers to evaluate investment options, forecast savings, and build compelling business cases for efficiency upgrades and retrofits. Tracking this metric consistently enables energy professionals and facility managers to identify consumption trends and implement efficiency improvements before costs escalate unnecessarily.
A small refrigerant leak can produce tonnes of CO2e due to extreme GWPs. This calculator quantifies F-gas emissions for GHG inventories, regulatory compliance, and identifying high-impact reduction opportunities. Regular monitoring of this value helps energy teams detect usage anomalies early and address equipment malfunctions or operational issues before they drive utility costs higher.
CO2e (kg) = F-gas mass (kg) × GWP-100.
Result: 10,440 kg CO2e (10.44 tonnes)
5 kg of R-410A leaked × 2,088 GWP = 10,440 kg CO2e. That's equivalent to driving over 25,000 miles in a gasoline car.
HVAC and refrigeration equipment leaks an average of 2–10% of their refrigerant charge per year. With high-GWP refrigerants, even a modest leak from a commercial system can generate more CO2e than all other building emissions combined.
The industry is shifting toward natural and low-GWP synthetic refrigerants. R-290 (propane), R-744 (CO2), and R-1234yf are leading alternatives. While each has tradeoffs (flammability, pressure, cost), they reduce the climate impact of refrigerant leaks by 99%+.
SF6 is used as an insulating gas in high-voltage switchgear. With a GWP of 23,500, even tiny leaks have massive climate impact. The electrical industry is developing SF6-free switchgear using vacuum, clean air, or fluoronitrile alternatives.
F-gases are synthetic greenhouse gases containing fluorine. They include HFCs (used in refrigeration/AC), PFCs (semiconductor manufacturing), SF6 (electrical switchgear), and NF3 (electronics). They have extremely high GWPs and long atmospheric lifetimes.
F-gases absorb infrared radiation very efficiently and persist for decades to millennia. SF6, for example, has a GWP of 23,500 and an atmospheric lifetime of 3,200 years. Even small leaks create significant warming.
For refrigeration/AC, track the mass of refrigerant added during maintenance (top-off method). For SF6 switchgear, weigh the equipment or track refills. For industrial processes, use material balance or direct measurement.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol (2016) mandates a global phasedown of HFC production and consumption by 80–85% between 2019 and 2047. This is expected to avoid up to 0.5°C of warming by 2100.
Low-GWP alternatives include R-32 (GWP 675), R-290/propane (GWP 3), R-1234yf (GWP 1), and CO2/R-744 (GWP 1). Equipment compatibility varies; consult your HVAC manufacturer for approved alternatives.
F-gas emissions are reported as Scope 1 fugitive emissions under the GHG Protocol. The mass of each gas is multiplied by its GWP to convert to CO2e. Track each gas type separately, as GWPs vary by orders of magnitude.