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EPA Issues VRF Final Rule and Approves New Refrigerants
Three substitutes can be used in the refrigeration and air conditioning sectors
REFRIGERANT RETROFIT: EPA has listed R-480A as acceptable as a retrofit in commercial ice machines. (Staff photo)
Last December, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule titled, “Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Restrictions on the Use of HFCs under the AIM Act in Variable Refrigerant Flow Air Conditioning Subsector.” This rule allows VRF equipment manufactured or imported before January 1, 2026, that uses an HFC or an HFC blend with a GWP above 700, to be installed until January 1, 2027.
The final rule also allows until January 1, 2028, for the installation of such VRF equipment that is intended for construction projects that were issued an approved building permit prior to October 5, 2023.
SNAP Notice
Late last year, EPA also issued a Determination of Acceptability (Notice 39) to list as acceptable three substitutes in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector. This determination of acceptability expands the list of acceptable substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. New listings are:
- R-471A, a refrigerant blend, is listed as acceptable as a retrofit in the following refrigeration and air conditioning end-uses:
- Cold storage warehouses
- Industrial process refrigeration
- Retail food refrigeration – Refrigerated food processing and dispensing equipment
- Retail food refrigeration – Remote condensing unit
- Retail food refrigeration – Supermarket systems
- R-480A, a refrigerant blend, is listed as acceptable as a retrofit in the following refrigeration and air conditioning end-uses:
- Cold storage warehouses
- Commercial ice machines
- Positive displacement chillers
- Refrigerated transport
- Water coolers
- R-513A, a refrigerant blend, is listed as acceptable for new residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pumps – self-contained units.
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