Heating and cooling your home shouldn't come at the cost of the environment. At Aris, we're dedicated to making your comfort smarter, safer, and more sustainable. While our current pilot phase proudly utilizes R32 (a significant leap forward from traditional refrigerants), we're already gearing up for what's next: propane (R-290). Here’s why we're confident it's the refrigerant of the future.

A Quick Look at Refrigerant History

Decades ago, HVAC systems relied heavily on refrigerants like Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These refrigerants severely damaged the ozone layer, prompting global action under the Montreal Protocol. Transitioning to Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) such as R22 provided only temporary relief, as environmental impacts ultimately demanded their phase-out.

By the early 2000s, R410a became the new standard. Although ozone-friendly, its extremely high Global Warming Potential (GWP)—over 2000—raised new environmental concerns. Today, with increasing climate urgency, regulations such as the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act mandate the transition to significantly lower-GWP refrigerants starting in 2025.

Raising the Bar: From R410a to R32, and Beyond

Aris has embraced R32, dramatically reducing GWP to just 675 while maintaining excellent efficiency. Already widely adopted across Europe, R32 is gaining momentum in the U.S. as a safer, more sustainable alternative. Yet even with these improvements, Aris isn't settling. We're actively preparing for an even greener future with R-290.

Propane (R-290): A Compact Name, Massive Impact

R-290 is a natural refrigerant with a near-zero GWP of only 3 and exceptional performance, achieving coefficients of performance (COP) ranging between 4.0 and 5.0. Already popular in Europe, R-290 stands out as one of the best refrigerants for heat pumps—offering both superior efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

Flammable? Yes. Risky? Not Really.

True, propane is flammable, prompting a valid question: "Is R290 safe for homes?" Absolutely. At Aris, we've proactively designed our systems to eliminate risks:

Monoblock Design: All refrigerant remains securely encapsulated within the outdoor unit. No refrigerant lines run through your home's interior walls.

Minimal Refrigerant Charge: While a typical barbecue tank holds around 20 pounds of propane, our systems use only 1–2 pounds of pure, odorless, HVAC-grade propane.

Factory-Sealed Systems: This design minimizes leaks and ensures safe, reliable installation and maintenance.

The Refrigerant Showdown: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Riding the Regulatory Wave

Policy trends strongly favor refrigerants like R-290. Initiatives such as the EU’s F-Gas revision and the U.S. EPA's AIM Act set aggressive targets for GWP reduction, steering the HVAC industry toward low-GWP refrigerants. Aris aims to be among the very first in the U.S. certified to ship R-290-based systems, providing customers with confidence in future-proof solutions.

Higher Temps, Better Storage, Smarter Homes

R-290 isn't just better for the environment—it performs remarkably well, especially in colder climates. Efficiently heating water up to approximately 160°F, it's ideal for thermal storage systems like Aris and grid-friendly operations. With R-290, homeowners enjoy consistent heating and cooling performance, while also contributing to a smarter, cleaner energy grid.

Aris: Leading the Comfort Revolution

We're committed to delivering solutions that are resilient and forward-looking. While R32 serves our pilot phase exceptionally well, Aris is already preparing for the shift to R-290 in the coming years, confident in its safety, performance, and sustainability. This proactive approach positions Aris (and our customers) ahead of evolving regulatory and environmental trends.

Join us as we pioneer a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future.