Which refrigerant is commonly used in domestic refrigerators?

R-134a is commonly used in domestic refrigerators due to its properties that make it suitable for refrigeration applications. This refrigerant has a lower ozone depletion potential compared to its predecessor, R-12, making it more environmentally friendly. R-134a operates efficiently in the lower temperature range typically required for household refrigeration and has a good balance of thermodynamic properties, including stability and energy efficiency.

In the context of household appliances, R-134a is non-toxic and does not contribute to ozone layer depletion, aligning with modern regulatory standards aimed at reducing environmental impacts. It also has non-flammability characteristics, which makes it a safer choice for use in residential settings.

While R-22, R-410A, and R-12 have specific applications in air conditioning and other refrigerating systems, R-134a has specifically become the refrigerant of choice for household refrigerators due to its overall efficiency and lower environmental impact. R-22 is typically used in older air conditioning units, R-410A is primarily used in newer high-efficiency air conditioning systems, and R-12 has largely been phased out because of its significant contribution to ozone depletion.