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United States
Environmentaf Protection
Agency
EPA 430-F-95-079
May 1995
Office of Air and Radiation (6205J)
-&EPA Refrigeration,
Your Business,
and the
CFC Phaseout
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May 1995
Dear Business Owner or Manager:
If you operate a business that depends on
commercial refrigeration equipment,
changes are occurring that you need to be
aware of. An international treaty to pro-
tect the Earth's ozone layer bans the pro-
duction at the end of 1995 of two refrigerants commonly
used in commercial refrigeration equipment (R-12 and
R-502) which cause ozone depletion. Fortunately, alterna-
tives are now widely available to replace these ozone-
depleting refrigerants.
As part ofEPA's efforts to achieve a smooth transition
to the non-CFC refrigerants, we have produced this
brochure for owners and managers of small businesses
using commercial refrigeration equipment. You will find:
Information about regulations affecting the handling
of CFC and HCFC refrigerants;
Guidance about switching to alternative refrigerants;
and
A list of sources of additional information.
Please remember that as we near the time for the CFC
production ban, the worst action is no action. Consider
switching to non-CFC refrigerants during the next regular
servicing of your refrigeration equipment.
Mary D. Nichols
Assistant Administrator
Office of Air and Radiation, USEPA
^uest/ons
NSWERS
How will the production ban
on CFCs affect me?
When the production ban goes into effect,
chemical companies will no longer be allowed
to produce CFC refrigerants. You will still be
allowed to use CFCs in your equipment, but over time
the availability of CFC refrigerants will likely decrease
and costs increase. The next time you have your refrig-
eration equipment serviced would be a good time to
consider switching to one of the alternative refrigerants
now widely available for use in existing equipment.
Increasingly, the alternatives are becoming cheaper than
the CFC refrigerants they replace.
What is the CFC production
ban and how is it being
implemented?
At present 150 countries have signed the
1 Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete
| the Ozone Layer. The Protocol calls for an
international ban on production of CFCs and other
ozone-depleting substances.
Under the Protocol and the federal Clean Air Act,
EPA has banned production of CFCs at the end of 1995.
Production of R-12 (a CFC) and R-502 (which contains
a CFC) stops at that time. HCFC-22 will be produced
until 2010 for use in new equipment and until 2020 for
use in equipment made before 2010. EPA also requires
recycling of CFC and HCFC refrigerants by certified
technicians during repair or disposal of refrigeration
equipment. As of November 1995, more refrigerants ~
including MFCs are likely to fall under the Clean Air
Act no-venting requirement.
How can I get ready for the
I CFC production ban?
I Start by developing a plan. This plan could be
as simple as a table listing each unit, the type
I of refrigerant, age, anticipated replacement
date and type of refrigerant to be used during retrofit (if
unit is not to be replaced soon). Check with your ser-
vice contractor as well as your equipment and refriger-
ant manufacturers for recommendations. Then be pre-
-------
pared to take advantage of routine servicing to perform
the retrofits and to replace equipment with non-CFC
equipment when it- is near the end of its useful life.
What are my options for
managing the CFC phaseout?
| You have three basic options. You can take
steps to conserve refrigerant as you service
! your equipment, so that you can keep your
existing equipment operating as long as possible
remembering, of course, that CFC refrigerant supplies
will keep dwindling. Or, you can retrofit your existing
equipment so that you are able to use the new alterna-
tive refrigerants. Finally, you can retire equipment that
is near the end of its life and replace it with non-CFC
equipment. Replacement can reduce operating costs if
new energy-efficient equipment is selected.
When is the best time to
switch to the alternative
refrigerants?
| When you switch is up to you. You can move
to the alternative refrigerants all at once or in
stages. It is important, however, that you have
a plan for making this transition. The best time to
switch may be during the next routine scheduled servic-
ing. Do not wait to make the change during emergency
servicingdoing so may lead to problems and will
almost certainly cost you more money.
What are the differences
among the new refrigerants on
the market?
| For converting or replacing CFC equipment,
two kinds of alternative refrigerants are now
available: HCFCs and HFCs. HFC-134a,
HFC blends, and HCFC-22 are used in both conver-
sions and new equipment. HCFC blends are generally
used only in conversions. Ammonia is also an option
for new equipment where safety codes permit its use.
Which substitute is appropriate for your equipment will
depend on the type of equipment you have and its oper-
ational requirements. EPA does not recommend any
one alternative refrigerant over the others. Check with
your equipment manufacturer and service contractor to
make the decision that is right for your equipment. The
changes involved in shifting to an alternative may be
limited to changing oil or may include replacing gas-
kets, valves or other components. Recommended pro-
cedures now exist for most equipment.
What should I expect of my
contractor and/or service
technician?
Your certified contractor or service technician
is in the best position to offer advice on how to
comply with the law, which equipment to deal
with first, and what is involved in reducing and elimi-
.nating CFC consumption.
Why is the production of CFCs
being banned?
| The ozone layer is a band of gas 6-30 miles
above the Earth that protects us from the sun's
I harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Refrigerants
containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and, to a lesser
degree, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) harm the
ozone layer when they leak out of equipment or are
vented. These chemicals are carried into the upper
atmosphere by the wind; there they release chlorine
atoms which destroy ozone molecules. A damaged
ozone layer allows more UV rays to reach the Earth's
surface, where they can cause higher rates of skin can-
cer, eye damage, and weakened immune systems.
Excessive UV exposure can also harm crops and ocean
life.
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Where can I get additional
information?
There are many sources of help for you. Start
by calling the EPA Hotline at (800) 296-1996
! for information about approved alternatives,
general guidance for equipment owners and case histo-
ries. Call the manufacturers of your existing equipment
for "how-to" guidance to convert existing equipment
and performance information about the new refriger-
ants. Talk to your service contractor about the alterna-
tives, and get another opinion if you don't like what
you hear. Trade associations listed below are another
source.
This booklet was developed by EPA
in cooperation with:
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
202-483-9370
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute
703-524-8800
Food Marketing Institute
202-452-8444
Mechanical Service Contractors of America
301-869-5800
National Association of Convenience Stores
703-684-3600
National Grocers Association
703-437-5300
National Refrigeration Contractors Association
215-564-3484
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society
708-297-6464
CHECKLIST OF
ACTIONS YOU NEED
TO
For equipment owners:
Consider shifting to an alternati|
the next time servicing occurs
Develop a retrofit/replacemen|
Make sure your service ted
Repair substantial leaks in
refrigerant charge greater
Consider repairing leaks i|
Maint
rvice records
CandHC
d reclaime
e refrig
pment
only to
d acceptable
For -s<
* Make
« Use ce;
refrigerarl
(including
* Provide equ:
for equipmeri
than 50 poun
Sell used CFC
are certified
fo recover and recycle
'Cs or HCFCs
raer with service records
ra refrigerant charge greater
d HCFC refrigerants only to
EPA-certified reclaimers
Use alternative refrigerants deemed acceptable
by EPA
*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1995-CW21-647
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