The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a notice in the Federal Register proposing to exempt three hydrocarbon refrigerants from the venting, release, and disposal prohibitions of Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.

A reader raised concerns over a refrigerant product on the shelf of a farm supply store. The product had as its sales pitch, “Why switch from the traditional R-22 refrigerants,” and it was noted on the label that the package contained the equivalent of 30 pounds of HCFC-22.

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).

In early 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) approval to three hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants in some applications. That could well have laid the groundwork for wider use of a type of refrigerant that is used in Europe and Asia on a much broader scale.

Sustainability and hydrocarbon refrigerants have moved high on the agenda of initiatives being offered to those in HVACR by the RSES.

My column in the Nov. 12 issue of The NEWS focused on HFCs, especially low GWP HFCs as retrofits for R-22 systems. This column will focus on what I used to call “beyond HFC” refrigerants, although these days, the term might be “other than HFC” refrigerants.

A major concern in our industry today is the careless promotion of hydrocarbons, or hydrocarbon-based blends, as drop-in refrigerants. Even though HC’s do have many positive attributes, in their pure state they are classified A3, and therefore if misapplied can be very dangerous to use.

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) recently launched its annual consumer awareness campaign on the hazards of mass marketers and retailers in Canada promoting hydrocarbon refrigerant do-it-yourself (DIY) kits.