EPA revising list of acceptable refrigerants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. is in the process of updating its list of acceptable refrigerants, prohibiting some and expanding the list of others that have a lower global warming potential (GWP).

According to a report in AHRI Update, the EPA is planning the changes in response to President Obama’s Climate Action Plan which calls on the EPA to identify and approve climate friendly chemicals.

At a meeting in early February, the EPA announced that in the spring it will expand the list of low-GWP alternatives for air conditioning and refrigeration applications. The new list includes Ethane for very low temperature refrigeration and heat transfer, and propane, R-441A and R-32 for self-contained home air-conditioners.

Because these refrigerants are flammable, EPA is planning to propose the conditions for their safe and appropriate according to safety standards.

In the summer the EPA will likely change the status of R-134a and HFC blends to be unacceptable refrigerants in vending machines, stand-alone reach-in coolers, and in various foam blowing end uses. As well, R-507A, R-404A, and other HFC blends with high GWPs will be unacceptable in multiplex supermarket systems. (R-407A and R-407F will retain their current status).

EPA’s proposals took into account the availability of alternatives and the amount of time it might take to convert to alternatives and is encouraging the private sector to invest in low emission technology.

For more detailed information and to read the AHRI report, click here.