HFC restrictions in the USA: new measures on the way
The USA has introduced restrictions on HFCs following heated debate involving government agencies and leading members of the American air conditioning sector. Details of important changes to legislation were announced by the Federal Government’s United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The official announcement is the culmination of efforts by the Biden-Harris administration to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons by 40% by 2024 and by 85% by 2036. This is part of the wider American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM), legislation designed to follow the principles of the Kigali amendment and the Montreal Protocol.
What changes are being introduced regarding the reduction of HFCs in the USA?
One of the key changes in the revised restrictions is a limitation on the use of HFCs when more efficient and climate-friendly alternatives are available. So there will be restrictions on the use of these gases in refrigeration, air conditioning systems and heat pumps, foams and aerosol products.
According to a report published in a respected journal specialising in the sector, these limits will mean:
- gases with a maximum GWP of 700 to be used in heat pumps and air conditioning units for domestic and light commercial use (meaning that R32 will be permitted). These regulations will apply mainly to the production and import of stand-alone products from January 1st 2025, with restrictions on sales, distribution and export from January 1st As for the installation of systems ‘assembled in the field’ the ban will become effective on 1st January 2025, with the exception of VRF systems, which must comply from January 1st 2026;
- gases with a maximum GWP of 150 to be used in retail food refrigeration units;
- gases with a maximum GWP of 300 in remote condensation units and supermarket systems with loads of over 90 kg and in the high temperature side of cascade systems;
Another significant proposal relates to the management of existing hydrofluorocarbons. The objective is to support the growing US industry that recovers HFCs from decommissioned equipment for reuse, thereby reducing the quantity of harmful emissions typically produced during the lifespan of these devices.
This point also includes:
- requirements to repair leaking equipment;
- the use of automatic leak detection systems for largescale refrigeration units;
- the use of regenerated HFCs in certain processes;
- the recovery of HFCs from storage tanks before they are disposed of and a tracking system for the containers.
Despite contrasting opinions regarding the HFC restrictions in the US, many people have come out in favour of the move which has started to be seen as an adequate response to the growing demand for ‘virgin’ HFCs for reuse. The EIA’s climate campaign director stated that the modifications are well-designed and will limit the amount of refrigerants used in heating and cooling equipment in line with their potential for climate damage.
The EPA has announced that the final version of the legislation will entail further cumulative reductions in greenhouse gases totalling at least 83 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e) in the period from 2025 to 2025, with savings of at least 3 billion dollars. Furthermore, it estimates that it will enable both industry and consumers to cut costs by 4.5 million dollars, thanks to energy savings and cheaper refrigerants.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith
