The EPA recently came out with a ruling on the final phase out schedule for HCFC refrigerants, and they’re really cracking down. This year’s limit is a full 57% reduction from last year. That’s compared to a less than 20% reduction from the previous year, and an actual increase of almost 14% the year before.
In its own words, the EPA calls this an “aggressive linear reduction” to try and stick to the U.S.’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol to eliminate HCFCs by the year 2020. The vast number of businesses and individuals alike who still rely on HCFC-22 will likely see an “immediate” and “drastic” drop in supply and rise in prices.
For your own sake and the sake of your business, you might want to think about switching to other refrigerants as soon as possible. This can entail significant costs, and many try to cut corners here and there. For example, large cylinder consolidation is frequently left to inexperienced employees. This can lead to costly mistakes, and is a danger to all involved as well. Here are just a few reasons to start with why you should leave it to the professionals.
#1 – It’s Safer for You
Please remember that refrigerants are chemicals synthesized precisely to have unnatural characteristics. They have very low boiling points and can cause frostbite, eye damage, respiratory problems, and skin irritation.
Some refrigerants, including the widely used R-22 or R-22a on the other hand contain highly flammable components such as propane. In fact, the EPA released a warning just last year that improper use of R-22 can lead to injury and fire, stating that “these refrigerants have never been submitted to EPA for review.”
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) of the Department of Labor lists on its website no less than 33 accidents where one or more workers were killed or hospitalized due to accidents involving refrigerants. As far back as the 1920s, several deaths caused by leaked refrigerants led to some people abandoning their refrigerators altogether.
In its document on handling refrigerants, the EPA itself starts by stating that it’s “a lot more complicated than it used to be,” especially as there are now so many different types and blends, each with different boiling points and unique characteristics.
#2 – It’s Safer for the Environment
As we discussed in previous articles, CFCs were phased out in the 90’s because of the damage they have done to the ozone layer. It was found that one of the main characteristics of CFCs sought in their development – their low reactivity – was causing a chain reaction that threatens the planet. Because they can last in the atmosphere for over a century, CFCs end up leaking up to the ozone layer. When they get there, the ultraviolet radiation forces their chlorine atom to split. The released chlorine atoms in turn cause ozone to turn into oxygen. As the ozone layer thins out, more of the sun’s radiation gets through, threatening life on earth.
CFCs were replaced by HCFCs, which still damage the ozone layer although to a lesser degree. Many HCFCs are also potent greenhouse gases, which again poses significant risk to the environment. Despite also now being phased out, HCFCs are still widely used today, to the tune of 51 million pounds consumed in the U.S. last year alone.
The EPA is really cracking down now on the use of the most common HCFC, commonly called R-22. If you’re having your refrigerant reclaimed, recycled or replaced, chances are you’re dealing with R-22. Improper handling of R-22 could easily result in its release into the atmosphere, which is precisely what governments the world over have been trying to stop since the 80’s with the phase out programs.
#3 – Cheaper is Not Always Cheaper
As mentioned earlier, large cylinder consolidation is often left to inexperienced employees rather than to highly trained reclamation companies. This greatly increases the risk of injury, fire and release of the gases to the environment. On top of these, as many as a third of the cylinders end up needlessly contaminated. Not being able to recover one cylinder of gas and contaminating the good gas could end up costing thousands of dollars each.
There are some things you should just leave to the professionals. We at Refrigerant Services LLC have over 15 years in commercial and residential HVAC including full-service, on-site refrigerant recovery services. We are based in New Hudson, MI and serve the surrounding areas through to Indiana and Ohio. Contact us today through our website or call us at 844-PURECFC (787-3232) to speak with the certified refrigerant professionals! Help us in working towards a greener planet.
