Ace the SkillCat EPA Type 2 Challenge 2026 – Get Ready to Cool Your Way to Success!

HFO stands for hydrofluoroolefins. The name reflects two features: “hydrofluoro” indicates the presence of hydrogen and fluorine, and “olefin” signals a carbon–carbon double bond. That double bond makes these molecules unsaturated, which leads to rapid breakdown in the atmosphere and a much lower global warming potential than fully fluorinated refrigerants. This is why they’re used as low-GWP alternatives to older groups like hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons. The other options don’t fit the concept: hydrofluorocarbons would refer to HFCs, which are fully fluorinated and typically have higher GWP; hydrofluoride oligomers isn’t a standard term here; hydrochlorofluorocarbons are HCFCs, a different, older class.