1. Why are HFC refrigerants being phased out?

Most cooling and refrigeration equipment, including chillers used in plastics processing, rely on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant gases to operate effectively. HFC refrigerants were created in the 1990s to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) refrigerants, which damage the Earth’s protective ozone layer. The most commonly used HFC refrigerant in chillers is R410A. When it was developed, R410A was a favored refrigerant due to its very low ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) rating of 0.

Unfortunately, HFC refrigerant gases have subsequently been shown to have a high global warming potential (GWP). According to EPA guidelines, R410A is one of many HFCs that is considered a “high-GWP refrigerant” – because one unit of it contributes to global warming at a rate of 1,890 times as much as a unit of carbon dioxide.

Because of their negative impact on global warming, high-GWP HFCs, including R410A, are being phased out by international regulatory bodies, including those in the U.S. and Canada. The EPA has called for a major phasedown of high-GWP HFCs by 2030.  New regulations call on equipment makers to transition chillers and refrigeration equipment to “low-GWP” HFC refrigerant gases with a GWP of 700 or less.

2. When will the new rules take effect?

That depends where you live.  Broadly speaking, the principal change is that the sale of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump products (RACHPs) – including chillers – that rely on high-GWP HFC refrigerants will be phased out. Exactly when depends on where you live and do business.

In the US:  12 states require (as of January 1, 2024) that any new chillers purchased must use low GWP refrigerants.  These states include:

California, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

At present, about a dozen additional states are also considering low GWP regulations, which could be adopted into law at any time.  Nationwide, the EPA’s proposed Technology Transition Regulation, states that new chillers sold in the U.S. after January 1, 2026 would also have to use low GWP refrigerants.  So, Conair believes that nationwide regulations for the use of low-GWP refrigerants will not be long in coming.

In Canada:  Environment Canada and the Ministry of the Environment will require that all chillers manufactured, distributed, or installed as of January 1, 2025, must use low-GWP refrigerants.

3. Can I still use my existing chillers?

Under proposed U.S. and Canadian regulations, current refrigeration equipment – including chillers – is “grandfathered” through the remainder of its lifecycle. So, chillers that currently rely on R410A or other “high GWP” HFC refrigerants can continue to be used.

The EPAs Technology Transitions Program clearly states that “this rule does not restrict the continued use of any existing RACHP products or systems . . .” and that these “may be serviced and repaired throughout [their] useful life; this includes replacing components, as needed. Components needed to repair existing equipment may continue to be manufactured, imported, sold, distributed, or exported.”  Grandfathered equipment is subject to a few restrictions: its capacity cannot be expanded; it cannot be built new from replacement parts; and certain evaporator or compressor components cannot be replaced.

4. What is Conair doing to help processors with the change?

Conair recognizes and embraces the low-GWP refrigerant mandates spreading across North America to protect the environment. We anticipated this change and adopted a new compressor and other internal components in all of our chillers in time to meet requirements. This update makes all Conair chillers manufactured after January 1, 2024, compatible with multiple refrigerants, including the latest low-GWP refrigerants. If you order a Conair chiller today, it comes with a compressor that can be charged and shipped with either a new low-GWP refrigerant, R454B, or if you choose, a traditional refrigerant, R410A, if that is permitted in your location. So, all new Conair chillers are built ready to work in any location across North America.

5. Can I convert my chillers to low-GWP refrigerants?

Unfortunately, the answer is NO.  You cannot safely retrofit old chillers that use high-GWP refrigerants to use the new low-GWP materials.  The newer refrigerants have different thermodynamic properties and operating pressures and need to be handled carefully.  Conair has found that chiller designs and components need varying degrees of ground-up redesign to work safely and efficiently with low-GWP refrigerants. And to ensure our customers’ success, all current Conair chillers have been engineered to use either refrigerant option.

For more information, call Conair.  Our Customer Care team is equipped to service and repair your existing chiller equipment. And, if you are seeking a new chiller, you can count on Conair sales staff to offer information about the regulations that apply in your state. Note that some counties or municipalities may have additional regulations as well.