What is the significance of the ozone depletion potential (ODP) of refrigerants, and how does it impact their use in HVAC systems?

The ozone depletion potential (ODP) of refrigerants measures their ability to deplete the Earth’s ozone layer. Refrigerants with high ODP values, such as R-22, contribute to ozone depletion and are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol. In contrast, refrigerants with low or zero ODP values, such as R-410A and R-32, are considered more environmentally friendly and are increasingly used in new HVAC systems.