Powerhouse has identified an alternative: a direct-drop-in hydrocarbon refrigerant blend that could replace all existing HFC refrigerants without requiring system replacement. Produced by only a handful of companies globally, including one in Perth and one in Melbourne, this natural refrigerant is essentially carbon neutral and offers a straightforward substitution: remove the existing gas, introduce the new blend, and the system will continue to operate, and significantly better – barring unrelated faults – than before.

The core advantage of this solution is efficiency. Because the hydrocarbon blend performs more effectively at a thermodynamic level, systems only need to work at approximately half the intensity to achieve the same cooling output. That translates directly into lower energy consumption, reduced wear on compressors, and extended system life, meaningful benefits in a remote town where servicing is costly and downtime is disruptive.

Powerhouse secured a trial with Rio Tinto across an initial 10 houses in Wickham. The trial focused on properties running on legacy R22 gases, where the case for intervention was clearest and the baseline data most instructive. Results were monitored carefully, outcomes documented, and the methodology refined before expanding to a total of 110 houses – half of which were running on legacy R22 gases, and the other half on the more common R-410A.

The primary pushback when it comes to hydrocarbon gases is safety, with flammability at the forefront of concerns. However, when examined against real-world data, the risk isn't proportionate with the concern. To ignite, hydrocarbon refrigerants require three conditions to coincide: hydrocarbons need to be released, mix with air at a concentration of between 2% and 10%, and be in the presence of an ignition source that exceeds 440°C. If any one of these elements is absent, combustion is impossible.

Further, these very specific conditions where ignition may occur are easily managed through standard safety protocols carried out by trained technicians. Hydrocarbon refrigerants are already used safely every day across a range of applications – from cool rooms and domestic refrigerators to over 1.2 million vehicles on Australian roads, representing 8% of all passenger and light commercial vehicles in the country.

Resistance to the natural evolution in refrigerant technology largely reflects a lack of education and independent proof of concept rather than genuine hazard. The success of implementation at Wickham has generated exactly this proof.

Hydrocarbon Refrigerant
Direct Drop-In Replacement
Carbon Neutral