With the impending phaseout of R-22 looming, the price and availability of the product will soon make it impractical to use. With virtually tens of millions of R-22-designed a/c systems in operation, refrigerant users and equipment owners will need to employ a number of alternative options to satisfy their cooling needs.

HC refrigerants have an A3 safety rating, meaning there are flammability issues. Even so, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially gave Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) approval to R-290 (propane), R-600a (isobutene), and R-441A (a blend marketed by ComStar International as HCR 188c).

Honeywell has announced the availability of an HFO refrigerant, which it trademarks as Solstice™ L-41 low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant, designed as a lower GWP alternative to R-410A.  

This past fall, the automobile manufacturer Daimler came out saying it was holding off using HFO-1234yf for auto air conditioning even though a directive from the European Union was calling for moving away from HFC-134a. Some saw that as a question about how much traction HFOs were getting as long-term alternatives to HFCs.

It appears as if the spigot of new R-22 available to HVACR contractors has been tightened even more in 2013. Users of the world’s most popular HCFC could expect close to 30 percent less of new R-22 this year than last, according to some reports.

The European Commission (EC), the executive body of the 25 member countries of the European Union (EU) responsible for proposing legislation, is continuing its efforts to phase down — and in some applications phase out — use of HFC refrigerants in much of Europe.

It’s important for readers within the refrigeration industry to be aware of what’s being talked about in Europe, especially from a regulatory standpoint. There is talk of a phaseout of virgin HFC refrigerant production rather than a phasedown.

As 2012 races to a close, The NEWS is proud to celebrate those making headlines this year — our NEWSmakers. Rather than lounge around and wait for the industry to come to them, these pacesetters rushed to the forefront, leading by example.

Honeywell has announced that it has begun shipping additional quantities of HFO-1234yf, which it markets as Solstice™ yf. The refrigerant is targeted for the automotive market, although other HFO configurations are being developed for stationary applications.