Refrigerants are the lifeblood of every retail cooling system. They’re what make your refrigerators, freezers, and display cases work — keeping food products fresh, safe, and appealing to customers. But with ongoing environmental regulations and advances in technology, choosing the right refrigerant for your retail business has never been more important.
At Buffo’s Refrigeration, we help grocery stores, supermarkets, and retail food operators across Nevada select and maintain efficient, compliant refrigerants that keep systems running smoothly while meeting the latest environmental standards.
Understanding Refrigerant Options
Refrigerants circulate through a system, absorbing and releasing heat to maintain precise temperatures. However, not all refrigerants are created equal. Over the years, older refrigerants like R-22 and R-404A have been phased out or restricted due to their high environmental impact.
Today’s refrigerants are designed to provide the same (or better) cooling performance while being safer for the environment and more energy-efficient.
What to Look for in a Refrigerant
When evaluating refrigerants for your retail cooling systems, consider these key factors:
- Energy efficiency – Reduces operating costs and compressor workload
- Environmental impact – Low global warming potential (GWP) and ozone-safe properties
- System compatibility – Works with your current refrigeration equipment or retrofit options
- Availability and cost – Easily accessible and supported by service technicians
At Buffo’s Refrigeration, we help retailers balance these factors to choose refrigerants that deliver long-term performance, reliability, and compliance.
Top Refrigerants for Retail Cooling Systems
R-448A (Solstice N40)
R-448A is one of the most popular replacements for legacy refrigerants like R-404A and R-22. It offers excellent energy efficiency, low GWP, and reliable performance across grocery store refrigeration systems.
Best for: Supermarkets, walk-in coolers, and multi-deck display cases
Benefits:
- Up to 68% lower GWP than R-404A
- Compatible with many existing systems
- Improved temperature stability and efficiency
R-449A (Opteon XP40)
R-449A is another leading low-GWP alternative to older refrigerants. It performs efficiently in both medium- and low-temperature applications and is widely used in retail and supermarket systems.
Best for: Reach-in coolers, freezers, and multi-temperature systems
Benefits:
- Low GWP (67% less than R-404A)
- Excellent cooling capacity
- Smooth, reliable performance in retrofits
CO₂ (R-744) Systems
Carbon dioxide (CO₂), also known as R-744, is a natural refrigerant gaining popularity in large supermarket systems. It’s non-toxic, non-flammable, and has an extremely low GWP, making it one of the most environmentally friendly options available.
Best for: Large grocery stores and high-capacity refrigeration systems
Benefits:
- Near-zero environmental impact
- Excellent energy efficiency when properly designed
- Safe and compliant with current regulations
R-513A (Opteon XP10)
R-513A is a low-GWP alternative to R-134a, ideal for medium-temperature applications like beverage coolers, deli cases, and self-contained retail units.
Best for: Beverage coolers, display cases, and reach-in refrigerators
Benefits:
- 56% lower GWP than R-134a
- Drop-in replacement for many existing systems
- Reliable, stable performance
Why Choosing the Right Refrigerant Matters
Selecting the right refrigerant affects more than just cooling performance — it impacts your:
- Energy consumption and operating costs
- Regulatory compliance with EPA and environmental laws
- System lifespan and maintenance frequency
- Environmental sustainability goals
The right refrigerant ensures your equipment performs efficiently while meeting modern environmental standards.
How Buffo’s Refrigeration Can Help
At Buffo’s Refrigeration, we specialize in helping retailers and grocery operators transition to efficient, eco-friendly refrigerants. Our technicians are trained in EPA-certified refrigerant handling and system retrofitting, ensuring every installation meets both performance and compliance standards.
We provide:
- Refrigerant evaluation and retrofit recommendations
- Energy-efficient system upgrades
- Leak detection and compliance support
- Preventative maintenance to ensure long-term reliability
Whether you’re upgrading from outdated refrigerants or designing a new system, we’ll help you find the best solution for your retail operation.
FAQ: Refrigerants for Retail Cooling
Can I still use R-404A in my systems?
While existing systems may continue to operate with R-404A, it’s being phased out due to its high GWP. Retrofitting to a newer refrigerant like R-448A or R-449A is strongly recommended.
Are natural refrigerants like CO₂ more expensive?
The initial system cost can be higher, but energy savings and environmental compliance often offset the investment over time.
Can my current system be retrofitted?
In most cases, yes. Buffo’s Refrigeration can evaluate your equipment and determine the best retrofit options for your needs and budget.
Schedule a Refrigerant Consultation Today
Choosing the right refrigerant doesn’t have to be complicated. Contact Buffo’s Refrigeration today to schedule a consultation and learn how to upgrade your retail cooling systems for efficiency, compliance, and long-term reliability.
We proudly serve Nevada, providing expert commercial refrigeration installation, maintenance, and repair for grocery stores, supermarkets, and food service facilities.
📞Call Us For A Free Quote 775-782-8204 | Buffos-Refrigeration.com