Industrial Process  Refrigeration and  the
Phaseout of  HCFC-22
What You  Need to  Know
What Is the HCFC Phaseout?
Under the U.S. Clean Air Act and the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer, the United States is phasing out the production
and import of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
in order to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.
By phasing out the production of ozone-depleting
substances like HCFCs, we are reducing the risk of
skin cancer caused by exposure to UV radiation. In
addition, many of these ozone-depleting substances,
as well as their substitutes, are greenhouse gases that
contribute to climate change.

No Immediate Change Is Required
HCFC-22, commonly referred to as R-22, is used
as a refrigerant in many applications, including
industrial process refrigeration (IPR). Starting on
January 1, 2020, U.S. production and import of
HCFC-22 will  end; however, use of HCFC-22 may
continue. HCFC-22 that is recovered and
reclaimed, along with HCFC-22 produced  prior
to 2020, will help meet the needs of owners of
existing HCFC-22 systems.

Planning for the Future Is Important
Even though there is no immediate need for change,
HCFC-22 supply will decline over the next  few
years, and prices may rise. By tightening leaks and
performing preventive maintenance, you can keep
your refrigerant emissions down and reduce the need
to purchase additional HCFC-22. When the time does
come to replace or retrofit an existing system, there
are many non-ozone-depleting alternatives available.
What Alternatives Can Be Used
Instead of HCFC-22?
Many non-ozone-depleting alternatives
to HCFC-22 are available for use in IPR
equipment. See the table on the next page for
a list of some acceptable non-ozone-depleting
alternatives under EPAs Significant New
Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program. Some of
these alternatives are listed for use in both new
and retrofitted HCFC-22 systems and others
are suitable only for new IPR systems. A full
list of acceptable alternatives under SNAP
is available at www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/
refrigerants/lists/indproc.html.

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               Acceptable Non-Ozone-Depleting Alternatives to HCFC-22 for IPR
Chemical
Ammonia Vapor
Compression or Absorption
R-744 (Carbon Dioxide, CO2)
R-450A
R-134a
R-407C
R-410A
R-407A
GWP Ozone Depleting? Retrofit New
0
1
601
1,430
1,770
2,090
No
No
No
No
No
No


X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
2,110 No X X
GWP = Global Warming Potential. GWP is a measure of how much a given mass of greenhouse gas is estimated to
contribute to global warming relative to the same mass of carbon dioxide.
When evaluating an alternative for retrofitting a system, be sure to follow the manufacturer's suggested
handling and installation guidelines and to consider possible effects on the system's energy consumption.

Are There Other Refrigerant Regulations Affecting IPR?
The IPR sector is subject to refrigerant management regulations under section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
Specifically, leaks must be repaired within 30 days when the equipment leaks at a rate that would  release
35% or more of the charge over a year. Additionally, it is illegal to knowingly vent refrigerant—both
ozone-depleting refrigerants and the alternatives1 —during servicing, maintaining or disposing of a
refrigeration  or air conditioning system.
For Further Information
•  Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances: www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout
*  Section 608 of the Clean Air Act: Stationary Refrigeration and Air
   Conditioning: www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/downloads/Section_608_
   FactSheet2010.pdf
•  Leak Repair Requirements for Systems Containing HCFCs or
   CFCs: www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/608/leak.html
Other EPA Resources for IPR Managers
•  IPR Compliance Guide: www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/608/compguid/
   compguid.html
•  Self-Audit Checklist For IPR Leak Repair Regulations: www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/608/compguid/
   SelfAuditChecklist.pdf
FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/classtwo.html or contact EPA at
1 -800-296-1996 or www.epa.gov/ozone/comments.htm.
1Several alternatives have been exempted from the venting prohibition.  Examples include ammonia in commercial or industrial process refrigeration or
in absorption units, and carbon dioxide, nitrogen or water in any application. A complete list is available in section 82.154 of the U.S. Code of Federal
Regulations at http://go.usa.gov/kAhQ.
     Printed on 100% recycled/recyclable paper with a minimum
     50% post-consumer waste using vegetable-based inks.
Office of Air and Radiation (6205T)
        EPA-430-F-14-018C
             October 2014

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