HFC

Abbreviation with 3 meanings

HFC
Stands forHouse Freedom Caucus
Meanings3
CategoriesGovernment & Politics, Science & Engineering, Technology & Computing

HFC has three meanings. The most common are House Freedom Caucus (political) and Hydrofluorocarbon (chemistry); it can also stand for Hybrid fiber-coaxial.

Meanings of HFC at a glance

#HFC stands forContext
1House Freedom CaucusGovernment & Politics › Political
2HydrofluorocarbonScience & Engineering › Chemistry
3Hybrid fiber-coaxialTechnology & Computing › Telecom

1. House Freedom Caucus

Government & Politics · Political Abbreviations

Bloc of conservative Republicans in the US House of Representatives that pushes for deep spending cuts and a more confrontational approach toward Democrats and, at times, toward Republican leadership. Membership is by invitation and its roster is not officially published.

Example: HFC members said they would oppose the rule unless the spending cuts were restored.

Formed in January 2015, it played a role in Speaker John Boehner's resignation later that year and in the 15 ballots needed to elect Speaker Kevin McCarthy in January 2023. Its membership is estimated at a few dozen. Because it can hold the balance of power within a narrow Republican majority, its votes often decide procedural rules.

2. Hydrofluorocarbon

Science & Engineering · Chemistry Abbreviations

Refrigerant and propellant containing hydrogen, fluorine and carbon but no chlorine, adopted to replace CFCs and HCFCs because it does not harm the ozone layer. Familiar examples are R-134a in car air conditioners and R-410A in heat pumps, but many HFCs trap heat thousands of times more effectively than carbon dioxide.

Example: The new heat pump uses a lower-GWP refrigerant instead of the HFC blend R-410A.

The 2016 Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol commits countries to cut HFC production and use by about 80-85% by the late 2040s. In the United States, the 2020 AIM Act directs an 85% phase-down by 2036. Replacements include hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), propane, carbon dioxide and ammonia.

3. Hybrid fiber-coaxial

Technology & Computing · Telecom Abbreviations

Cable network architecture that carries signals over fiber to neighborhood nodes and over coaxial cable for the final distance to homes, delivering cable TV and broadband internet.

Example: The HFC node serving our neighborhood gets congested every evening.

Cable operators have extended fiber deeper into networks to shrink the number of homes sharing each node and improve speeds. Because coax capacity is shared, peak-hour slowdowns are possible. Many operators plan to replace HFC with fiber to the home over time.

More political abbreviations

  • H.R. – House of Representatives (bill prefix)
  • H.Res. – House Resolution
  • HASC – House Armed Services Committee
  • HB – House Bill
  • HPSCI – House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
  • I – Independent (party label)
  • IG – Inspector General
  • IRV – Instant-runoff voting

See all 91 political abbreviations →

More chemistry abbreviations

  • H2SO4 – Sulfuric acid
  • HCFC – Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
  • HCl – Hydrochloric acid
  • HDPE – High-density polyethylene
  • HOMO – Highest occupied molecular orbital
  • HPLC – High-performance liquid chromatography
  • ICP-MS – Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
  • IPA – Isopropyl alcohol

See all 106 chemistry abbreviations →