Why is R404A refrigerant banned to use?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced two new regulations that, while banning the use of some existing refrigerants, have tightened regulations on leakage rate limits, thereby reducing HFC emissions. From January 1, 2021, a batch of high-GWP refrigerants are prohibited from being used in certain new production products, including R404A, R134a, R407C and R410A.
European Regulation n. 517/2014 requires a drastic reduction of the emission of greenhouse gases, with a reduction target of 79% by 2030.
Restrictions/prohibitions of use on new installations
l Commercial (hermetic) refrigerators and freezers containing F-Gas with GWP> 2.500 → from 1.1.2020, and with GWP> 150 → from 1.1.2022.
l Fixed refrigeration systems containing F-Gas with GWP> 2.500 → from 1.1.2020.
l Centralized systems for commercial refrigeration with capacity> 40kW, containing F-gas with GWP> 150 → from 1.1.2022, with the exception of the gases used in the primary circuit of a cascade system (for which a GWP is allowed < 1.500).
Summarizing… from January of next year, commercial refrigerators and freezers containing gas with GWP higher than 2500 will be no longer available – therefore with R404a gas for example – while from January 2022, those containing gas with GWP greater than 150 will be banned, therefore R407F, R452a, R448-R449-R134a.
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