The Buzz Surrounding Refrigerant 22

The government is phasing out the use off refrigerant 22, even though it is widely used in a number of applications.As the phase out continues, facilities with equipment that use the chemical are rushing to comply with the requirements of the law.

Numerous substances suspected of causing great harm to our climate, the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming. Refrigerant 22 has been on the list of substances to phase out, since the Montral protocol and US Clean Air Act moved to eliminate hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons found in various refrigeration and cooling systems. Other countries are following suit.

Refrigerant 22 is found in a variety of commercial refrigeration units, HVAC systems and air conditioning systems. The known hydrochlorofluorocarbon can be found in the equipment commonly used in a number of industries, such as hotels and restaurants, office buildings, hospitals, retail supermarkets, food processing warehouses and manufacturers.

Refrigerant 22 causes damage to the environment when it is released, for example during a leak. The EPA now requires companies and municipalities to track usage and submit regular reports to better manage the use of this gas. As this can be a very time-consuming process, companies are turning to software that will automatically track and issue reports to comply with the regulations. Companies are wary of a penalty fee structure waiting for those who fail to comply.

Shortly, refrigerant 22 will no longer be manufactured or used in new refrigeration and cooling equipment. Rather, eco-friendly refrigerants have been developed to serve as alternatives. While companies with equipment still using the ozone-depleting refrigerant are not required to purchase a new system, they will need to follow strict guidelines on what to do when conducting routine maintenance and making repairs on their systems.

Up until January 1, 2020, chemical manufacturers can continue to produce Refrigerant 22 for existing systems. After that date, the substance can no longer be made and only refrigerant that has been recovered and recycled can be used in existing plants.

Refrigerant 22, as a greenhouse gas has been around for over four decades. Just as natural greenhouse gases help stabilize the world's temperature, man-made chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons increase the average temperature around the globe. If no action were taken the makeup of the planet would change and eventually cause major hardship and devastation.

There are number of alternatives to Refrigerant 22. These include R-410A, R404A and R407c, some of which are already in use in new refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, and found to be more energy efficient. The EPA specifies approved alternatives and facility managers can check with them for information.

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