Because of these advantages, A2Ls are increasingly seen as a practical solution for both new installations and retrofits. Still, natural refrigerants remain a strong option for food retailers with ultra-low-GWP goals or specific regulatory drivers. That means contractors play a pivotal role in helping customers weigh the strengths of A2Ls against alternatives like CO₂ or R-290. 

A2L Benefits 

For many food retailers, A2Ls represent a smooth, lower-cost step away from legacy HFCs, and they offer several strategic advantages — particularly for smaller format stores, said Adam Ciesielski, director of engineering at Zero Zone. 

“[A2L systems] are often more cost-effective to implement and maintain, while delivering greater capacity than other low-charge alternatives,” he said. “Operationally, A2Ls closely resemble traditional HFC systems in terms of pressure and glide characteristics, making them easier to adopt with minimal disruption. This similarity allows service personnel to use their HFC troubleshooting experience.” 

That operational similarity is critical, said Vince Zolli, P.E., general manager and vice president of engineering at KeepRite Refrigeration.  

“A2L refrigerants perform very similarly to A1 refrigerants, with comparable system design and operation. This similarity can benefit end users who seek solutions akin to their current systems, avoiding the complexity that some natural refrigeration systems may present. As a result, A2L systems can lead to lower costs while improving efficiency.” 

Another advantage is that A2Ls are approved for higher charges than natural refrigerants like R-290, which expands their applicability beyond small, self-contained cases into rack and remote systems. That provides “opportunities for higher capacities and broader applicability,” said Joe Summers, senior product manager, scroll and drives at Copeland. He advises contractors to guide their customers through evolving system architectures rather than relying on the one-size-fits-all approach of the past. 

“As more lower-GWP-qualified systems become available and end users have increased options from which to choose, contractors should be ready to assist them in selecting systems that best meet their sustainability and operational goals,” said Summers. 

For Trenton Yule, application engineer at Danfoss, the biggest advantage of A2Ls is balance.  

“A2L-based refrigeration systems offer a compelling middle ground between traditional high-GWP HFCs and natural refrigerants like CO₂ or propane. With significantly lower GWP — typically between 100 and 700 — A2Ls help food retailers meet evolving environmental regulations, while maintaining performance similar to conventional refrigerants.” 

In addition, A2Ls are generally more affordable and easier to install and service than high-pressure CO₂ systems or flammable R-290-based units, said Yule.  

“They also offer improved energy efficiency in many climates — especially over CO₂ in warmer regions. CO₂ is supercritical above 88°F, which results in a lack of efficiency at higher ambient temperatures.” 

Another selling point is maintenance.  

“A big benefit of A2Ls is that they operate much like HFCs,” said David Bolaños, director of product management and marketing at Heatcraft. “Maintenance requirements, for example, are similar to the way HFCs are worked on, so technicians familiar with HFCs will be able to work on A2Ls quickly with proper training.” 

Contractor’s Role 

The refrigerant transition isn’t just about meeting new regulations — it’s also about making smart business choices. Contractors often sit on the front lines of this process, and their guidance can help determine whether food retailers lean toward A2L systems or natural refrigerants. 

“Contractors play a critical role in helping food retailers determine the most suitable refrigeration approach by evaluating factors such as store size, climate zone, total cost of ownership, safety and code compliance, refrigerant availability, and long-term regulatory outlook,” said Yule. 

He noted that while A2Ls often provide a practical, lower-cost solution for many retrofit and small-format applications, natural refrigerants may be better suited for retailers prioritizing ultra-low GWP and long-term environmental leadership.  

“By offering a tailored assessment of performance, cost, compliance, and future readiness, contractors can guide clients toward the refrigeration system that best aligns with their operational goals and sustainability commitments,” he said. 

That evaluation requires a strong grasp of both regulations and project details, emphasized Bolaños. He added that selecting the right refrigerant and system architecture depends on several factors, including: 

• Budget requirements 

• Type of application and site location 

• Space installation considerations 

• Federal and/or state regulations and local building codes 

• Sustainability goals, if applicable 

• Expertise in the technology and system architecture being considered. 

Contractors must be especially mindful of the EPA’s Technology Transition requirements (which are currently being revisited by EPA), said Bolaños. These include understanding subsector limits on refrigerant use — including GWP thresholds, restricted refrigerants, and whether a system’s charge exceeds 200 pounds — all of which are now a fundamental part of compliance. 

It is also important to understand the distinction between new installations and replacements, said Bolaños.  

“If it’s a new installation, it’s critical to know that the needs like heat load envelope, type of application (e.g., large cold storage warehouse, supermarket store, restaurant, small floral retail store, etc.), type of product being stored, room temperature, dimensions of room(s), budget, payback analysis, first-cost, etc., do not change. Choosing the optimum architecture — split system, centralized system, or self-contained unit — still uses the same thoughtful analysis we have learned.” 

If it’s a replacement, Bolaños said it is important to understand what is being replaced and how that replacement potentially affects EPA’s Technology Transition requirements.  

“EPA has restrictions that apply when we replace ‘specified components,’ such as a remote condensing unit, a unit cooler, a compressor, etc., in a refrigeration system. When we replace 100% of specified components all at once or over time, EPA deems that replaced system essentially ‘new,’ so the 100% replaced system must now comply with EPA’s sector and subsector’s GWP or refrigerant rules.” 

In the end, the right solution depends on the specifics of each project — from store size and climate to budget and sustainability goals. Contractors, with their technical expertise and regulatory knowledge, are uniquely positioned to guide retailers toward the refrigerant solution that delivers both compliance and confidence for the future.