About Store Certification

Key Resources

View all GreenChill resources

Any food retail store - whether the store is newly constructed or being remodeled - can apply for GreenChill Certification. There is no fee to apply for Certification.

On this page:

GreenChill Certification Levels

A food retail store can achieve Platinum–, Gold–, or Silver–Level Certification. In addition to the requirements below, all newly constructed stores using hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blends must also be leak tested at installation according to the standards in GreenChill's Installation Leak Tightness Testing Guidelines.

Platinum-Level Store Certification

The store must use only non-ozone depleting refrigerants that have been found acceptable by EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program for use in retail food refrigeration end-uses. In addition, the store must meet one of the following sets of conditions:

  • The store must achieve an average HFC refrigerant charge equal to or less than 0.5 pounds of HFC refrigerant per 1,000 British Thermal Units per hour (BTUH) total evaporator cooling load and a store-wide annual HFC refrigerant emissions rate of 5% or less; or
  • All refrigerants used in the store’s commercial refrigeration system must have global warming potentials (GWPs) lower than 150.

Gold-Level Store Certification

The store must use only non-ozone depleting refrigerants that have been found acceptable by EPA's SNAP program for use in retail food refrigeration end-uses. It must also achieve an average HFC refrigerant charge equal to or less than 1.25 pounds of refrigerant per 1,000 BTUH total evaporator cooling load and a store-wide annual HFC refrigerant emissions rate of 15% or less.

Silver-Level Store Certification

The store must use only non-ozone depleting refrigerants that have been found acceptable by EPA's SNAP program for use in retail food refrigeration end-uses. It must also achieve an average HFC refrigerant charge of no more than 1.75 pounds of refrigerant per 1,000 BTUH total evaporator cooling load and a store wide annual HFC refrigerant emissions rate of 15% or less.

How to Certify a Store

Any food retail store in the United States, whether the store is in the design phase, newly constructed, fully operational, or being remodeled, can apply for GreenChill Store Certification. To apply for Certification, a store must complete a short application about the type of refrigerants used in the store, refrigerant emissions, and refrigerant charge. There are separate forms for fully operational stores and newly constructed stores, as well as a bulk application form to submit multiple stores for Certification simultaneously. In addition, all newly constructed stores using HFCs or HFO blends must be leak tested at installation according to the standards in GreenChill Installation Leak Tightness Guidelines. Once a store has submitted the appropriate form, EPA will review the information and confer Certification, if warranted. GreenChill Certification is valid for one year. After one year, stores must reapply to retain GreenChill Certification. The process is quick and easy, and there is no fee to Certify a store.

Below is a summary of the steps to submit a Certification application.

Select and Complete Application

  1. Select and Complete Application
  2. Submit Application not completed
  3. Await Notification from EPA not completed
  4. Store Certification and Plaque not completed

There are several types of application forms depending on if the submission is for a single store or several, when the store(s) opened, and whether the store(s) previously Certified.Step

Newly Constructed Stores: Stores that are not yet operational or have been operational for less than 12 months, are classified as “Newly Constructed.” These stores should complete the form for “Newly Constructed Stores” and complete and sign an Installation Leak Tightness Testing Verification Form.

Note: Stores that have been operational for 6 to 12 months should provide supporting documentation for emissions (as available) starting the date the store opened in addition to completing the Newly Constructed Application Form and Installation Leak Tightness Testing Verification Form.

Operational Stores: Stores that have been in operation for at least 12 months are classified as “Operational.” These stores should complete the Form for Operational Stores.

Recertifications: Stores that have previously been Certified but require a renewal are classified as “Recertifications.” These stores should complete the Recertification Form. Supporting documentation for annual emissions is required for all stores looking to recertify.

Bulk Applications: To submit multiple stores for Certification at once (either newly constructed, operational, or recertifications), stores should complete the “Bulk Application Form.”

The Bulk Application form is subdivided into tabs based upon the classification of each store (i.e., newly constructed, operational, or recertification). All supporting documentation indicated for each store classification is still required when submitting a Bulk Application. However, this application format allows for a streamlined submittal process, simultaneous review of all applications, and consistent Certification expiration dates, if store Certification requirements are met.

Remodeled Stores: If the store has been remodeled or retrofitted, please contact GreenChill@epa.gov to determine which application materials are required.

Submit Application

  1. Select and Complete Application completed
  2. Submit Application
  3. Await Notification from EPA not completed
  4. Store Certification and Plaque not completed

For helpful guidance on completing the application, please refer to the materials listed below.

Email your application and all required attachments to GreenChill@epa.gov.
 Step

Await Notification from EPA

  1. Select and Complete Application completed
  2. Submit Application completed
  3. Await Notification from EPA
  4. Store Certification and Plaque not completed

Once your application is received, EPA will send an email confirming receipt and will immediately begin the review process. If you do not receive an email confirming receipt within two weeks, please notify EPA by emailing GreenChill@epa.gov. After a decision is made, EPA will notify you via email. Please note, GreenChill reserves the right to deny store Certification based on a company's Clean Air Act Title VI enforcement issues. 

 Step

Store Certification and Plaque

  1. Select and Complete Application completed
  2. Submit Application completed
  3. Await Notification from EPA completed
  4. Store Certification and Plaque

If your store achieves Certification, you will receive a Platinum-, Gold-, or Silver- Level Certificate from EPA, along with press release guidance and an order form for a plaque. You may purchase as many plaques as you wish. Note: When referring to any EPA GreenChill Store Certification award, please include the year in which the award was received.Step

GreenChill

Contact Us About GreenChill
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on March 7, 2024