When choosing a drinking water system with sustainability in mind, it is important to take into account the refrigerant gas the cooling system uses. Older gases that are particularly harmful to the environment could be less effective and potentially a departure from the government regulations of your area.
Borg & Overström uses R290 refrigerant gas across all it's dispensers and tap systems.
R290 is a refrigerant-grade propane gas used on a wide range of commercial refrigeration and air conditioning units. A highly pure propane, it has a low environmental impact and nominal global warming potential (GWP), meaning it possesses no qualities that can destroy the ozone layer. R290 also is the preferred hydrocarbon alternative of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), substituting more harmful fluorocarbon refrigerants like R22, R134a, R404a and R502.
Why R290 is used.
The decision to use R290 is driven by a combination of environmental, regulatory, and technical benefits:
First, its environmental impact is dramatically lower than legacy refrigerants. As regulations like the EU F-gas rules continue to phase down high-GWP gases, R290 provides a future-proof alternative that aligns with stricter climate targets.
Second, R290 delivers strong thermodynamic performance. It is highly efficient in small sealed systems, making it well-suited for compact water dispensers that need rapid chilling without excessive energy consumption.
Finally, R290 supports long-term product design stability. By adopting a natural refrigerant now, manufacturers reduce the risk of future forced redesigns due to regulatory changes.
If you are looking for a water system that embodies a sustainable design and features green technology for the future, check out Borg & Overström water dispensers and tap systems.