Refrigerants & Research Gases

Refrigerant destruction, lead reduction, and low-GWP alternatives anchor Stanford’s opportunities to further reduce process and fugitive emissions

Refrigerants and research gases, reported as Scope 1 process and fugitive emissions, are among the most potent greenhouse gases used on campus, with global warming potentials (GWP) thousands of times higher than carbon dioxide. These emissions account for approximately 20% of Stanford’s combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions and largely originate from HVAC systems, chillers, refrigeration equipment, and specialized research processes. As other emissions sources decline, refrigerants and research gases are expected to represent a growing share of unavoidable emissions in Stanford’s remaining operational footprint.

Managing these emissions is complex. Equipment is distributed across many buildings and departments, and in some research applications, there are limited viable low-GWP alternatives. Replacement is not always beneficial when life cycle impacts and system compatibility are considered. Stanford has made significant progress through annual emissions tracking using The Climate Registry methodologies, a plug load study that inventoried refrigerant-containing equipment, and an annual financial transaction analysis that reviewed hundreds of thousands of purchasing records to uncover data gaps and improve tracking accuracy.

State and federal policies, including California regulations and the AIM Act, are accelerating the phaseout of high-GWP refrigerants. Stanford is responding by advancing leak detection, reporting, using lower-GWP refrigerants and gases when possible, and targeting abatement strategies to reduce emissions while supporting critical operations and research.

Stanford conducts annual Scope 1 emissions tracking for refrigerants and research gases using The Climate Registry (TCR) methodologies to ensure compliance and guide mitigation. Beyond measuring and accounting for equipment leaks, Stanford has taken a comprehensive approach to reporting. This includes a plug load study, which inventoried refrigerant-containing equipment to identify fugitive emissions sources, and an annual financial transaction analysis, which reviews hundreds of thousands of purchasing records to uncover data gaps and improve tracking accuracy.

Mitigation
ongoing

Stanford will conduct a new campus-wide inventory of equipment that contains refrigerants and research gases to improve identification of fugitive emission sources. The update will refine estimates of leakage risk, emerging high-GWP equipment, and opportunities to reduce refrigerant use at the device level. Results will strengthen Scope 1 emissions accounting and inform targeted mitigation strategies.

Mitigation
planned

Stanford is integrating sustainability guidance into purchasing processes to prioritize low-GWP refrigerants and energy-efficient equipment. The guidance will leverage tools like ENERGY STAR and promote life cycle considerations such as leak potential and refrigerant type, helping reduce long-term emissions and operational risks across departments.

Mitigation
planned

Stanford is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to reduce high-GWP refrigerants, including evaluating alternatives like HFOs and investigating piloting a switch from R-404A to R-442A, a lower-GWP drop-in replacement with higher efficiency. The university is also developing resources to guide project managers on phasing out refrigerants like R-410A and R-134A in alignment with California regulations and Stanford’s Facility Design Guidelines.

Mitigation
planned

Stanford is investigating the feasibility and viability of solid refrigerant technology that aims to revolutionize the HVAC industry by offering highly efficient and environmentally friendly cooling solutions without using any refrigerants.

Mitigation
ongoing

Stanford is expanding the district chilled water and Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) systems to reduce reliance on local boilers and refrigerant-charged units. Between 2027 and 2035, nine Escondido Village buildings will convert to LTHW, reducing emissions while lowering leak risk and improving system efficiency.

Mitigation
planned

Chilling Out: Stanford’s Rebate Program for Efficient Freezers

Stanford’s ENERGY STAR ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezer rebate program helps labs reduce energy and climate impact by incentivizing ENERGY STAR certified freezers that use low-GWP refrigerants. Combined with maintenance resources that help labs monitor and repair refrigerant leaks, the rebate program reduces emissions from laboratory equipment while lowering operating costs and advancing a more sustainable research environment.