By Anne Fonda

The simplest greenhouse gas definition: Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. This is sometimes called the greenhouse effect. Some GHGs can stay in the atmosphere for thousands of years.

This list is by no means comprehensive, but each of the following is considered a greenhouse gas.

• Carbon dioxide
• Methane
• Nitrous oxide
• HVAC refrigerants
  • Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) such as R-22
  • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) such as R-410A
  • Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) such as R-454B
• Naturally occurring gases such as water vapor and ozone

Learn more about refrigerants in our Complete Guide to HVAC Refrigerants.

By trapping heat in the earth’s atmosphere, higher concentrations of greenhouse gases can alter climate and weather patterns on a global scale. This effect was once called global warming, but the more recent and accurate description is climate change.

Climate change can have many adverse impacts, including:

• More severe heat waves, floods, droughts, hurricanes, and other storms
  • Property damage and loss of life due to the above
  • Economic impacts
• A rising sea level
• Decreased biodiversity

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)), the United Nations panel for assessing the science related to climate change, carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas that has the biggest impact on climate change. The most common source of carbon dioxide since the 1700s is human activities such as burning fossil fuels for transportation and heating.

If you have a gas furnace or boiler, your HVAC system releases more carbon dioxide into the air than if you get your heat from an electric heat pump. Similarly, if your electric company burns coal to generate electricity, a less efficient HVAC system will indirectly generate more carbon dioxide than a highly efficient system.

You can greatly reduce your carbon emissions by replacing your furnace with a heat pump or looking for an energy provider that generates electricity through nuclear, solar, or wind power.

If your cooling system has a refrigerant leak, it will release the refrigerant (essentially a greenhouse gas) into the air. Older units using R-22 or R-410A will have a greater negative impact as these refrigerants have a higher GWP.

Rather than nursing an old R-22 system along after it has a refrigerant leak, consider replacing the system.

The previous two HVAC refrigerants, R-22 (Freon™) and R-410A are both being phased out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to their high global warming potential (GWP). When released into the air, these two refrigerants were found to have a negative climate impact.

R-454B is the next-generation refrigerant that most of the industry has transitioned to in residential equipment.

Trane has a strong commitment to a more sustainable future. After many months of research, we’ve transitioned to using a more sustainable, lower GWP refrigerant in our newly manufactured heat pumps and air conditioners. R-454B also has no ozone depletion potential (ODP).

In addition, through the Gigaton Challenge, we've committed to reducing one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂e) from our customers' carbon footprints by 2030. That’s the total amount of carbon produced by Italy, France, and the U.K. combined each year!

On the residential side, this means leveraging our innovative technology and expertise to develop some of the most efficient heat pumps and air conditioners in the residential HVAC market today. Combining these units with a smart thermostat and an equally energy-efficient air handler helps you save energy, save money, and help save the planet.

If it’s time for AC replacement or heat pump replacement, a new unit from Trane that uses the next-generation refrigerant will be more energy-efficient and sustainable than your old system. That means reduced greenhouse gas emissions. If you want to make the biggest difference, consider replacing your gas furnace and AC with a heat pump system. The electrification of heat is one of the biggest ways that homeowners like you can help reduce carbon emissions. Contact your Trane dealer today to learn more.

Anne Fonda, Content Writer

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A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

Expert review by Stacie Downie, Sustainability Solutions Marketing Manager