In March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program, approved several low-GWP (global warming potential) hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants for use in refrigeration and air conditioning applications, subject to use conditions. The approval — which had been expected for some time — drew a mixture of reactions ranging from support to concern.
Tom Morris, director of business development, Honeywell Fluorine Products, said Honeywell is supportive of the EPA’s efforts to work with industry and other stakeholders to allow the introduction of lower-GWP refrigerants including those that are designated flammable. But, “although the EPA’s recent SNAP approval is a step forward for flammable HC refrigerants, there are other hurdles for these products including building codes that would need to be modified,” he said.