Refrigerant regulations are becoming more stringent, particularly in states such as California, where starting next year, there is a 150-GWP limit for new or fully remodeled facilities that utilize commercial refrigeration equipment containing more than 50 pounds of refrigerant. The federal government has not yet adopted this low GWP limit, but it could be on the table. Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of figuring out how it will administer the phasedown of HFC production and consumption in the U.S., and the final regulation should be finished by October.
Many food retailers have been considering their refrigerant options for several years, and when looking for alternatives under 150 GWP, CO2 is usually a top contender. With a GWP of 1, it is environmentally friendly and will likely not be phased out in the future; however, CO2 does operate at a much higher pressure than traditional HFC refrigerants, which may cause concern for both contractors and end users. For contractors who have worked with CO2 for years, proper preparation and working closely with the OEMs go a long way to alleviating the fear factor.