The information below can help businesses learn more about purchasing, maintaining, and disposing of stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.

Purchasing and Replacing Equipment

• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when purchasing new equipment. Products that have earned the government’s ENERGY STAR® label (such as refrigerators, freezers, and other appliances) lower greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines established by EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Maintaining and Servicing Equipment

• Review frequently asked questions about how the phaseout of hydrochlorofluorocarbonhydrochlorofluorocarbonA compound consisting of hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. The HCFCs are one class of chemicals being used to replace the CFCs. They contain chlorine and thus deplete stratospheric ozone, but to a much lesser extent than CFCs. HCFCs have ozone depletion potentials (ODPs) ranging from 0.01 to 0.1. Production of HCFCs with the highest ODPs are being phased out first, followed by other HCFCs. A table of ozone-depleting substances (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/ods/classtwo.html) shows their ODPs, GWPs, and CAS numbers. HCFCs are numbered according to a standard scheme (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/geninfo/numbers.html). (HCFC)-22 (also called R-22) affects owners of comfort cooling, commercial, and other refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
• Learn about EPA’s requirements for:
  • Practices when servicing stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
  • Technician certification when servicing stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
  • Repairing leaks in appliances with a full charge of 50 or more pounds of ozone-depleting refrigerant.
  • Keeping equipment service records.
• Find information on best practices for maintaining and servicing commercial refrigeration equipment in supermarkets from EPA’s GreenChill Program.
• Find a qualified technician through the ENERGY STAR® program. Technicians can also be located through the several trade groups.

Disposing of Equipment

• Learn about EPA’s safe disposal requirements for small appliances in this fact sheet.
• Learn how to dispose of stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment through EPA’s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program.

Flammable Refrigerants and Technician Safety

Refrigerants with “22a” or “R-22a” in their names are highly flammable substances that are not approved for use in existing air-conditioning systems. These refrigerants have never been submitted to EPA for review of their health and environmental impacts. Using these propane-based refrigerants in an air conditioner that is not designed for flammable refrigerants poses a threat to homeowners and service technicians. EPA is investigating instances where propane-based refrigerants have been marketed and used as a substitutes for hydrochlorofluorocarbonhydrochlorofluorocarbonA compound consisting of hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. The HCFCs are one class of chemicals being used to replace the CFCs. They contain chlorine and thus deplete stratospheric ozone, but to a much lesser extent than CFCs. HCFCs have ozone depletion potentials (ODPs) ranging from 0.01 to 0.1. Production of HCFCs with the highest ODPs are being phased out first, followed by other HCFCs. A table of ozone-depleting substances (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/ods/classtwo.html) shows their ODPs, GWPs, and CAS numbers. HCFCs are numbered according to a standard scheme (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/geninfo/numbers.html). (HCFC)-22 (also called R-22) and has taken enforcement actions where appropriate.

Access more information about R-22a and alternatives for air conditioning.

Reporting Violations of the Section 608 Regulations

Access information on how to report a violation of the Section 608 regulations. Learn about EPA’s efforts to enforce regulations to protect the ozone layerozone layerThe region of the stratosphere containing the bulk of atmospheric ozone. The ozone layer lies approximately 15-40 kilometers (10-25 miles) above the Earth's surface, in the stratosphere. Depletion of this layer by ozone depleting substances (ODS) will lead to higher UVB levels, which in turn will cause increased skin cancers and cataracts and potential damage to some marine organisms, plants, and plastics. The science page (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/index.html) offers much more detail on the science of ozone depletion..