Refrigerants

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The shift to lower-GWP refrigerants in commercial refrigeration is accelerating, with food retailers adopting diverse options including R-290, A2L systems, and CO₂ solutions for various store formats.  

R-290 isn’t hard to handle — but it does require a different mindset. The key to working safely? Understanding what’s different and adjusting accordingly.  

These patented HFO refrigerant blends are two of the leading alternative refrigerants used in accordance with the AIM Act when replacing higher GWP HFC refrigerants with lower GWP HFO refrigerants in the supermarket segment.

New refrigerants are changing refrigeration system design, requiring careful tradeoffs between efficiency, safety, and performance across different climates and applications. 

NASRC’s new event focuses on CO₂ RCUs — an emerging solution gaining traction in smaller-format applications.

Industry leaders say no new refrigerant transition is imminent, but state mandates and affordability pressures threaten the HVACR industry’s “hopeful calm.”  

As part of the court’s decision, the enforcement discretion pertaining to R-404A and R-507A, which was set to expire on Tuesday, March 31, is extended, and the NYSDEC is barred from enforcing the prohibition pending a decision on HARDI’s request for a preliminary injunction.

Despite regulatory uncertainty, A2L refrigerants are rapidly expanding across HVACR sectors, driven by EPA GWP limits and growing demand for sustainability.

New York’s refrigerant rules may cause supply shortages, raising costs for consumers and businesses, as industry groups push for regulatory alignment with federal standards to avoid disruptions.