Consumers and clients in 2024 will need to source and start using alternative refrigerants with the continuation of an US Environmental Protection Agency-mandated proposal focused on the phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons.
Mandated through the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) act, certain higher-GWP HFC refrigerants like R410A or R134a will be banned in most new refrigeration and air conditioning applications. The proposal includes a 700 GWP limit on chillers and residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pump systems from January 1, 2025.
HFCs are potent greenhouse gases (GHGs) intentionally developed as replacements for ozone-depleting substances used in refrigeration, air conditioning, aerosol applications, and more.
The AIM Act, started in December 2020, authorizes EPA to address (HFCs) in three main ways:
1. Phasing down their production and consumption
2. Maximizing reclamation and minimizing releases from equipment
3. Facilitating the transition to next-generation technologies through sector-based restrictions.
The latest proposed rule, issued in December 2022, focuses on the transition to new technologies through sector-based restrictions.
NEW REFRIGERANT OPTIONS FROM MOTIVAIR
With the EPA-mandated phasedown, Motivair wanted to take a moment to educate its clients on the alternative options you can start to use this year.
Air-Cooled Chillers |
CURRENT REFRIGERANT |
ALTERNATIVE REFIGERANT |
MLC-A | Air-Cooled Chillers |
R-134a |
R-513a |
MLC-AD | Adiabatic Chillers |
R-134a |
R-513a |
MLC-SC-A | Air-Cooled Scroll Chillers |
R-410a |
R-32 |
MLT-A | Centricor Chiller w/ Turbocor Compressors |
R-134a |
R-513a |
MPC-A | Air-Cooled Chillers |
R-410a |
R-32 |
Free Cooling Chillers |
||
MLC-FC | Free-Cooling Chillers |
R-134a |
R-513a |
MLC-SC-FC | Free-Cooling Scroll Chillers |
R-410a |
R-32 |
MLT-FC | Centricor Chiller w/ Turbocor Compressor |
R-134a |
R-513a |
MPC-FC | Free-Cooling Chillers |
R-410a |
R-32 |
Water-Cooled Chillers |
||
MPC-W | Water-Cooled Chillers |
R-410a |
R-32 |
MLC-W | Water-Cooled Chillers |
R-134a |
R-513a |