Which refrigerant is considered less harmful to the ozone layer?

HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons) are considered less harmful to the ozone layer because they do not contain chlorine or bromine, which are the elements responsible for ozone depletion. Unlike CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), which can significantly contribute to ozone layer damage due to their chemical composition, HFCs were developed to replace these substances, providing similar refrigeration and air conditioning performance without the same level of environmental harm to the ozone layer.

While R-22 is an HCFC and has some ozone depletion potential, it is less significant than that of CFCs, which are now largely banned under international agreements due to their severe impact on the ozone layer. Using HFCs reduces the risk of ozone depletion, making them preferred alternatives in many applications, despite their own greenhouse gas effects.