Which type of refrigerant systems is most likely to experience leaks into building spaces?

Direct refrigerant systems are most likely to experience leaks into building spaces because they circulate refrigerant directly through the air handling units or coils that are located within the occupied environment. In these systems, any refrigerant leak can lead to the introduction of refrigerant gas directly into the indoor air, which can pose risks to indoor air quality and safety.

In contrast, indirect refrigerant systems use a secondary fluid, such as water or brine, to transfer heat rather than circulating refrigerant through occupied spaces. This design minimizes the risk of refrigerant leaks affecting indoor air, as any leaks occur in the closed loop of the refrigerant circuit, which is typically outside or in a separate mechanical space.

Centrifugal refrigerant systems, often used in large commercial applications, can also leak, but they typically do not have refrigerant components directly within occupied areas. Instead, their design usually involves larger central systems where any leaks would be contained within mechanical rooms.

Absorption refrigerant systems operate differently, using heat to drive the refrigeration cycle rather than mechanical compression. While they can experience leaks, they often have less potential for refrigerant to enter building spaces compared to direct systems, as their operation involves different principles and may utilize different fluids, thereby reducing risk in occupied spaces