This Industry Mandate Will Likely Affect Your HVAC System
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act provides new authority for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in three ways:
- Phasing down production and consumption of harmful HFCs
- Managing these HFCs and their low-GWP substitutes, including reclamation initiatives and reducing equipment leak rates
- Facilitating the transition to next-generation refrigerant technologies
HFCs and A2L
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a family of fluorinated gases commonly used as a refrigerant. Many of the most common HFCs and HFC Blends have a high GWP, which has a detrimental effect on the environment. HFCs were introduced in the 1980's to phase out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which had the devastating effect of depleting the Ozone Layer.
A2L refrigerants are a class of refrigerants with lower GWP and lower flammability. All refrigerants, including A2L refrigerants, should only be handled by Service Technicians who have passed the EPA 608 Technician Certification test. R32 and R454B are two low GWP A2L refrigerants that are being adopted by OEMs and Component Manufacturers to meet EPA requirements.
The EPA regulates the use of refrigerants in HVAC systems through its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. In 2021, at the direction of the AIM act, a phasedown was launched to reduce usage of high-GWP refrigerants. A2L refrigerants have been approved by the EPA for use in residential AC applications while some higher-GWP refrigerants can no longer be used in new installations.
Phasedown Schedule
Under the AIM Act, there is an active phasedown of GWP that can be used over a 15-year period (starting in 2021) which includes both legacy refrigerants and new A2L refrigerants. This will conclude with a total of an 85% reduction from the baseline GWP volume with specific levels allowed for each year. This table shows the phasedown schedule for reducing allowable CO2 emissions, with percentages of reduction (left side) being relative to figures recorded for the 2011–2013 baseline.
Note: Existing equipment cannot be retrofitted to use refrigerants with lower emissions, meaning all buildings using this GWP refrigerants will need to update their systems at some point in the next decade.
See HFC allowances
Key Equipment Dates
The Federal Technology Transition's final rule restricts the manufacture and installation of certain refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) products. This rule allows for equipment with high GWP refrigerants, manufactured before January 1, 2025, to be installed until January 1, 2026. This ruling affects all regions of the Country.
Contractors
Two refrigerants have been selected by equipment OEMs to replace R-410A for new Residential Air Conditioning and Heat Pump installations: R-32 and R-454B.
As the phasedown continues, the availability of high-GWP refrigerants such as R-410A and R-404A is expected to decrease. One factor that can help preserve availability is reclaiming refrigerants already in the system when servicing our changing out the equipment. This refrigerant can then be returned to Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) 700 specifications for purity and used for service.
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