430N94004
oEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Radiation
(6205J)
EPA 430-N-94-004
March 1994
Countdown To CFC Phaseout
22 MONTHS TO GO
Time To Act
The deadline for phasing out production of CFCs
carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform is now fast
approaching. Both domestic rules and the Montreal Protocol
require that production of these chemicals cease on December
31,1995 - less than 22 months away.
If companies fail to act now and instead adopt a wait
and see attitude, they will have fewer options and higher costs.
Firms now using CFCs may have convinced themselves that:
- CFC supply will still be plentiful after 1995
-A magical "drop-in" alternative will soon appear
- EPA will change its regulations
- Their use will be granted a special exemption
- Other companies will act, so they don't have to
CFC-dependent firms cannot and should not count on
any of the above to be true. While supplies should be
adequate through 1995, availability will continue to tighten and
prices may well increase. Make no mistake, the December 31,
1995 phaseout date is firmly fixed. Essential use exemptions
(which must be internationally approved) are likely to be
extremely limited, and despite considerable efforts, a true
"drop-in" alternative has not materialized.
While you cannot control what other companies will do,
your company has a number of options if you act today
Develop and begin implementing a refrigerant management
plan now.
- Designate someone responsible for refrigerant management
- Inventory equipment and refrigerant service needs
- Minimize refrigerant need by recycling and fixing leaks
- Evaluate replacement and retrofit options
- Develop a refrigerant management plan
Update on EPA Regulations
In the last few months, many stratospheric ozone
protection regulations have been made final. EPA publications
summarize each of the major stratospheric ozone protection
rules and can be ordered from the Stratospheric Ozone
Information Hotline. (See article on Hotline.) The status of
some of these rules is briefly described below.
In November, the EPA Administrator signed the final
Accelerated Phaseout Rule that establishes the deadlines for
phasing out production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon
tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, halons, and hydrochlorofluoro-
carbons (HCFCs). That rule also lists methyl bromide and
hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs) as ozone-depleting
chemicals and establishes dates for phasing out their
production.
Under the Refrigerant Recycling Rule, EPA is busy
reviewing the applications for the approval of technician
certification programs. As of February 23, forty-six new
programs had been approved.
EPA has recently decided to propose to extend the
period for "grandfathering" technicians who participated in
voluntary certification programs for 6 months. Technicians
who can show proof of certification in such a program would
be able to purchase refrigeration during that period. All
other technicians must be certified by November 14, 1994
EPA will distribute a full explanation of the proposed
rulemaking on grandfathering through the trade press.
On February 15, EPA announced the final
Significant New Alternatives Policy Rule which
establishes a program in which EPA evaluates substitute
chemicals and processes that replace ozone-depleting
substances for their potential effect on human health and the
environment. This rule also lists the substitutes which EPA
has reviewed to date and found to be acceptable or
unacceptable in key industrial use sectors.
Link Between Ozone Depletion and UV-B
Radiation Increase
While convincing evidence has existed for some
time that ozone depletion has been occurring both in the
polar and mid-latitude regions, little data has been available
until now on changes in ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. In a
recent article in Science (November 1993), two Canadian
scientists presented data for Toronto from 1989-1993
demonstrating that increases in
UV-B radiation have occurred as
ozone levels have decreased.
The paper by Kerr and
McElroy is based on measure-
ments taken with a Brewer
instrument. They report ozone
losses of 4.1 percent per year in
winter and 1.8 percent per year
in summer during this time period. The increases in
erythemally-weighted UV radiation were found to be 5 3
percent annually in winter and 1.9 percent in summer
(Erythemally-weighted readings report the range of radiation
that causes skin reddening and burning.) The increases in
winter and summer radiation include adjustments for effects
not caused by changes in ozone levels, such as pollution
Scientists agree that increased UV-B radiation has been
linked to future increases in skin cancers and cataracts
5M-X2.
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with Soy/Canola Ink on paper that
contains at least 50% recycled flber
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22 MONTHS TO GO
Page 2
Commercial Refrigeration: Alternatives Widely
Available
Commercial refrigeration is the most diverse use
sector of CFC refrigerants. EPA estimates there are over
1 6 million retail food refrigeration units; most of these units
are found in supermarkets, groceries, restaurants, and
hospitals In addition, other refrigeration end-uses range
from water coolers to huge cold storage warehouses.
Information supplied by the refrigerant manufacturers
indicates that approximately 40 million pounds of CFC-12
and 26 million pounds of R-502 were used to service the
retail food sector in 1992.
(R-502 is made up of HCFC-
22 and CFC-115 in roughly
equal portions.)
There are different ways
that owners of commercial
refrigeration equipment can
u___^_ prepare for the phaseout.
They can repair the leaks in current CFC-using equipment
and continue to maintain and run it as long as they can
obtain CFC refrigerant or they can retrofit or replace the
equipment so that it uses alternative refrigerants. EPA, as
required by the Clean Air Act, has designated "acceptable"
substitute refrigerants and processes under the Significant
New Alternative Policy (SNAP) program. The commercial
refrigeration end-uses are retail food refrigeration, cold
storage warehouses, refrigerated transport, vending
machines water coolers, and commercial ice machines.
Within each end-use, acceptable alternatives are specified
for retrofit and replacement applications. Depending on the
end-use and whether the application is for new or existing
equipment, the following alternatives exist:
R-12: R-134a, R-22, R-401A, R-401B, ammonia,
evaporative cooling, desiccant cooling, Stirling cycle, and
pressure stepdown cooling
R.502: R-22, R-402A, R-402B, R-404A, R-507, ammonia,
and Stirling cycle
In recent years, much of the new equipment ordered
in this sector has used R-22. In the past year, however,
many supermarkets have moved to the use of new HCFC
blends, HFC-134a, and HFC blends in both new equipment
and retrofitted existing equipment. Some of these stores
have developed considerable in-house or contractor
expertise and are willing to share their experience with
others Manufacturers have made great strides in offering
equipment and lubricants compatible with the new
refrigerants.
Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning: The Biggest
Challenge
One of the last remaining CFC phaseout hurdles
involves servicing existing vehicle air conditioning systems
that use CFC-12. In 1992, 50-60 million pounds of CFC-12
were sold to this sector. (Some of amount is undoubtedly
being held in reserve for future use.) Over 90 million CFC-12
air-conditioned vehicles will still be on the road in 1996 and
no "drop-in" replacement refrigerant currently exists that
would satisfy the demand
for servicing these vehicles.
The costs of modifying (or
"retrofitting") a CFC-12 air
conditioner to use HFC-
134a varies by make and
model. Two manufactur-
ers, Saturn and Volvo,
have already announced
their retrofit procedures for specified models and years ($100
and $45 plus labor, respectively). Overall retrofit cost
predictions range from under $100 (newer vehicles) to over
$800.
EPA's mandatory recycling and recovery at disposal
requirements are an important part of solving the problem of
servicing vehicles beyond the 1995 production phaseout, but
these rules only go part of the way toward supplying sufficient
CFC-12. In addition, refrigerant must be "banked" or
stockpiled now while it is still available. EPA has been
working with the vehicle manufacturers and service sector to
raise awareness about the importance of banking refrigerant
as one option in meeting future demand. Recently EPA took
action to ensure that full 1995 production of the CFCs allowed
under the Montreal Protocol (including the DuPont allocation)
would be possible.
The combination of recycling, retrofits, and banking are
all essential components to assure a smooth transition in the
vehicle sector. EPA's goal is to make sure consumers have
the option of using CFC-12 or retrofitting to HFC-134a for as
long as possible. When supplies of CFC-12 are used up,
then only HFC-134a will be available.
Chillers: Conversions and Replacements Picking
Up
In 1992, there were approximately 80,000 centrifugal
chillers being used for comfort cooling in large buildings and
about 15 million pounds of CFC refrigerant were sold to
service these chillers. About 80 percent of these machines
use CFC-11, 12 percent use
CFC-12, and the remainder
use CFC-113, CFC-114, and
R-500.
A 1993 survey of equip-
ment manufacturers conduct-
ed by the Air-Conditioning
Refrigeration Institute (ARI)
estimated that about 5,000 CFC chillers had been replaced
or converted to non-CFC refrigerants by the end of 1993.
From this survey, ARI projected that an additional 8,000
chillers would be retrofitted or replaced in 1994 and 1995.
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22 MONTHS TO GO
Page 3
Resources Directory for Air Conditioning & Commercial Refrigeration
Trade & Professional Associations
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute
Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy
American Gas Cooling Center
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating
& Air Conditioning Engineers
American Subcontractors Association
American Supply Association
Association of Energy Engineers
Building Owners & Managers Association
Chemical Manufacturers Association
CHEMTREC (Non-Emergency Services)
Commercial Refrigerator Manufacturers Association
Electric Power Research Institute
Information Hotline
Commercial Bldg. Air-Conditioning Ctr.
(most EPRI services should be solicited through your local
electric utility)
Food Marketing Institute
Evaporative Cooling Institute
International Association of Cold Storage Contractors
International Facility Management Association
International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration
Mechanical Service Contractors of America
National Association of Convenience Stores
National Association of Plumbing, Heating
& Cooling Contractors
National Comm. Refrigeration Sales Association
Ozone Safe Cooling Association
Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society
Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors
National Association
(202) 483-9370
(703) 524-8800
(703) 243-0344
(703) 841-8411
(404) 636-8400
(703) 684-3450
(312) 464-0090
(404) 447-5083
(202) 408-2662
(800) 262-8200
(202) 857-1145
(415) 855-2411
(608) 262-8223
(202) 452-8444
(505) 646-4104
(202) 452-1781
(713) 623-4362
(202) 857-1110
(301) 869-5800
(703) 836-4564
(800) 533-7694
(215) 564-3484
(202) 223-9579
(312) 644-6610
(708) 297-6464
(703) 803-2980
Air Conditioning Manufacturers
Chillers:
Carrier Corporation
Dunham-Bush, Inc.
SnyderGeneral Corporation
The Trane Company
York International Corporation
Rooftop Equipment:
Aaon, Inc.
Carrier Corporation
Goettl Air Conditioning
Goodman Manufacturing Corporation
Heat Controller
Hupp Industries, Inc.
Inter-City Products
Lennox International
Mammoth, A Nortek Company
Miller-Picking Corporation
Rheem Manufacturing Corporation
SnyderGeneral Corporation
The Trane Company
York International Corporation
(315) 433-4376
(703) 434-0711
(612) 553-5330
(608) 787-2000
(717) 771-7890
(918) 583-2266
(800) 432-6000
(602) 275-1515
(713) 861-2500
(517) 787-2100
(216) 676-6200
(615) 793-0450
(214) 497-5000
(612) 559-2711
(814) 479-4023
(501) 646-4311
(612) 553-5330
(615) 645-6471
(717) 771-7890
Evaporative Systems:
Alton Manufacturing Company
Baltimore Aircoil Company
Champion Cooler Corporation
Engineered Commercial Concepts
Essick Air Products
Hastings Industries/Vari-Cool
ICC Technologies
Janeco Inc.
Norsaire Systems, Inc.
Phoenix Manufacturing, Inc.
United Metal Products, Inc.
Southern Engineering
SPEC-AIR
(214) 638-6010
(410) 799-6262
(915) 542-0117
(214) 484-0381
(501) 562-1094
(402) 463-9821
(215) 592-8299
(602) 968-3066
(303) 937-9595
(602) 437-1034
(602) 275-7622
(314) 481-0660
(915) 877-3136
Commercial Refrigeration Manufacturers
Barker Company, Ltd. (319) 293-3777
Columbus Show Case Company (614) 299-3161
Displaymor Manufacturing Company (310) 323-5223
Federal Industries (608) 424-3331
Harford Systems (Duracool Div.) (410) 272-3400
Hill Refrigeration Corporation (609) 599-9861
Hussman Corporation (314)291-2000
Kysor-Warren (404) 483-5600
Nax of North America (515) 244-5326
Regal Custom Fixtures Company (609) 261-3323
Royal Store Fixture Company (215) 467-3700
Southern Equipment Company (314) 481 -0660
Tyler Refrigeration Corporation (616) 683-2000
Zero Zone Refrigerator Mfg. (414) 547-0055
Chemical Manufacturers
Allied-Signal, Inc. (800)631-8138
E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company (800) 441-9442
Elf Atochem, N.A. (800) 343-7940
FMC Lithium Division (800) 362-2549
Great Lakes Chemical Corporation (317) 497-6100
ICI Americas, Inc. (800) 243-5532
Laroche Chemicals (800) 248-6336
Lubricant / Oil Manufacturers
BVAOils (800)231-3376
Calumet Lubricants (317)328-5660
Castrol N.A. (800) 458-5823
Dow Corning (800) 248-2481
Keystone Elf Lubricants (800) 343-7940
ICI Americas (800) 275-5532
Lubrazol Corporation (216) 943-4200
Mobil (800) 662-4525
Oak International (616)651-9790
RDM Products (314)272-4400
Summit Chemical (800) 227-8664
Texaco Lubricants Corporation (800) 782-7852
Virginia KMP (800) 285-8567
Witco Corporation (212)605-3985
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Table of Contents
• Time To Act
• Update on EPA Regulations
• Link Between Ozone Depletion
and UV-B Radiation Increase
• Commercial Refrigeration:
Alternatives Widely Available
• Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning:
The Biggest Challenge
• Chillers: Conversions and
Replacements Picking Up
For More, Call the Hotline or Resource Directory
Contacts
To learn more about the EPA stratospheric protection
program or to order publications, call EPA's Stratospheric
Ozone Information Hotline at
1-800-296-1996. Among the
publications that the hotline
distributes are factsheets on
the major EPA regulations
and collections of case hist-
ories on actual conversions of
chillers, industrial process,
and commercial refrigeration
equipment to non-CFC refrigerants.
Another source of information is the Air Conditioning
and Commercial Refrigeration Directory printed in this issue.
Trade groups and companies with expertise in aspects of
the CFC phaseout and transition to alternative refrigeration
are listed. Future editions of this newsletter will list
additional groups.
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed on paper that contains
at toast 50% recycled fiber
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