Supermarkets: Frequently Asked Questions
GreenChill is an EPA partnership with food retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change. Learn more about GreenChill's mission and goals.
Can Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-22 be used in my refrigeration system?
Can virgin HCFC-22 be used in a newly manufactured refrigeration system being installed in a new store?
No. Commercial refrigeration systems cannot be installed using virgin HCFC-22 on or after January 1, 2010.
Can virgin HCFC-22 be used to service my existing equipment?
Yes, depending on when the system was manufactured. If the system was manufactured before January 1, 2010, virgin HCFC-22 can be used for servicing (normal maintenance and repair). Only recovered or reclaimed HCFC-22 can be used in systems manufactured after January 1, 2010.
For example, virgin HCFC can be used to refill a system manufactured before 2010 due to a component failure or repair to get it back to normal operating condition. EPA does not require replacement of an existing HCFC-22 system or conversion of that system to an alternative refrigerant.
However, EPA is phasing out HCFC-22. Therefore, there will be less virgin HCFC-22 produced and imported each year. Supermarket owners should carefully consider all options when deciding whether to service or replace an existing system.
Can virgin HCFC-22 be used in a system that is expanded after January 1, 2010?
Sometimes. Virgin HCFC-22 may not be used in a system that has become a “newly manufactured” system through an expansion. To make this determination, EPA considers whether an expansion is changing the intended purpose of a system.