The regulatory landscape for refrigerants used in chillers has become more complicated, thanks to the court decision that declared the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not authorized to regulate HFC refrigerants under the Clean Air Act. As a result, EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Rule 21, which required the use of lower GWP refrigerants in chillers as of 2024, remained in legal limbo until last month, when the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a decision to vacate that rule.
Some states are not happy with this decision and are proposing their own phasedown schedules of HFCs. For example, California has adopted SNAP Rule 21, so as of Jan. 1, 2024, the state will prohibit the use of specifically listed HFCs in chillers. While most manufacturers still offer chillers that use R-134a and R-410A, they are beginning to utilize alternative refrigerants that will comply with these new laws. However, the search continues for solutions that not only have a low GWP but are efficient, safe, cost-effective, and nonflammable. A difficult task, to be sure.