The application of hydrocarbon refrigerants in a hermetic reciprocating compressor for refrigerator is investigated. The selected refrigerants are isobutane(R600a), propane(R290), R12, binary mixture of R600a/R290, and OS-21CII. Both theoretical and experimental investigations have been performed for the selected refrigerants. The test results of hydrocarbon refrigerants have been compared to the traditional refrigerant(R12). The results show that hydrocarbon refrigerants(HC-Blend, OS-21C II) are very good alternatives in the refrigeration system for R12.