Friday, March 13, 2015
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is increasing the options for refrigerants used in various kinds of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in the U.S. The final action addresses refrigerants under President Obama’s Climate Action Plan that calls on EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program to identify and approve additional climate-friendly chemicals.
EPA is approving low-global warming potential (GWP) hydrocarbon refrigerants, subject to use conditions, in the following refrigeration and air conditioning applications: ethane in very-low-temperature refrigeration and in non-mechanical heat transfer; isobutene in retail food refrigeration—stand-alone commercial refrigerators and freezers—and in vending machines; and propane in household refrigerators, freezers, or combination refrigerator-freezers, vending machines, and room air conditioning units. Also approved is the hydrocarbon blend R-441A in retail food refrigeration, in vending machines, and in room air conditioning units; and HFC-32 (difluoromethane) in room air conditioning units. The agency notes that these refrigerants are already in use in many applications in Europe and Asia.
Under the authority of the Clean Air Act, EPA’s SNAP program evaluates substitute chemicals and technologies that are safe for the ozone layer. The final rule expands the list of SNAP-approved substitutes to include more low-GWP alternatives that can replace both the ozone-depleting substances and high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons.
“Today’s rule is an example of how we can turn the challenge of climate change into an opportunity to innovate our way to a better future,” said EPA administrator Gina McCarthy. “By working together, businesses and EPA are bringing new, climate-friendly refrigerants to market that better protect our health and the environment.”
EPA is approving low-global warming potential (GWP) hydrocarbon refrigerants, subject to use conditions, in the following refrigeration and air conditioning applications: ethane in very-low-temperature refrigeration and in non-mechanical heat transfer; isobutene in retail food refrigeration—stand-alone commercial refrigerators and freezers—and in vending machines; and propane in household refrigerators, freezers, or combination refrigerator-freezers, vending machines, and room air conditioning units. Also approved is the hydrocarbon blend R-441A in retail food refrigeration, in vending machines, and in room air conditioning units; and HFC-32 (difluoromethane) in room air conditioning units. The agency notes that these refrigerants are already in use in many applications in Europe and Asia.
Under the authority of the Clean Air Act, EPA’s SNAP program evaluates substitute chemicals and technologies that are safe for the ozone layer. The final rule expands the list of SNAP-approved substitutes to include more low-GWP alternatives that can replace both the ozone-depleting substances and high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons.
“Today’s rule is an example of how we can turn the challenge of climate change into an opportunity to innovate our way to a better future,” said EPA administrator Gina McCarthy. “By working together, businesses and EPA are bringing new, climate-friendly refrigerants to market that better protect our health and the environment.”
