Taylor Ferranti, Commercial VP of Refrigerant Management at A-Gas, explains the impact of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act for refrigerant users.
HFC gases are a crucial part of a functioning, modern society.
From keeping groceries cold and fresh to powering the AC in people’s cars, these gases are an integral part of maintaining our safety and health.
To be properly reclaimed, HFC gases must be contained and recovered, never leaking into the atmosphere.
AIM was finalized by the US government at the end of 2021. This legislation introduced a phase-down plan for virgin HFC gases. From now through 2036, the US will reduce the production and importation of virgin HFCs by granting relevant businesses a set number of HFC allowances (or quota), which will decrease over time. Plus, state governments, such as in California, are introducing additional GWP-based HFC regulations. These will impact the sale, distribution, and entrance of bulk virgin HFCs or HFC blends into California commerce.
As the demand for refrigerant gases will increase, so will the demand for cooling. Businesses will still need to maintain old equipment. With diminishing availability of supply, the market will turn to reclaimed gases to make up the difference. The good news is that the AIM Act has no impact on reclaimed HFCs, meaning they can be purchased without using HFC allowances. Plus, reclaimed HFCs offer the same performance quality as virgin refrigerants. Reclaimed refrigerants must meet the same standards (AHRI-700) as virgin refrigerants, and are considered equally effective.
AIM was finalized by the US government at the end of 2021.
This legislation introduced a phase-down plan for virgin HFC gases.
From now through 2036, the US will reduce the production and importation of virgin HFCs by granting relevant businesses a set number of HFC allowances (or quota), which will decrease over time.
Plus, state governments, such as in California, are introducing additional GWP-based HFC regulations.
These will impact the sale, distribution, and entrance of bulk virgin HFCs or HFC blends into California commerce.
As the demand for refrigerant gases will increase, so will the demand for cooling.
Businesses will still need to maintain old equipment.
With diminishing availability of supply, the market will turn to reclaimed gases to make up the difference.
The good news is that the AIM Act has no impact on reclaimed HFCs, meaning they can be purchased without using HFC allowances.
Plus, reclaimed HFCs offer the same performance quality as virgin refrigerants.
Reclaimed refrigerants must meet the same standards (AHRI-700) as virgin refrigerants, and are considered equally effective.
Reclaimed Gases
The case for circular HFCs
Circular business models reduce waste for more efficient resource usage.
By relying on existing products, we make better use of what we already have, avoiding the need to produce the equivalent quantity of virgin refrigerants.
Circularity also incentivizes people to avoid leaking or venting refrigerants into the atmosphere.
Turning to reclaimed HFCs enables participation in the circular economy and delivers benefits from a sustainable business model.
In some cases, doing so could reduce the risk of interruptions to your business because of issues like supply chain availability.
To be properly reclaimed, HFC gases must be contained and recovered, never leaking into the atmosphere.
Learning the safest and most effective processes out in the field will ensure businesses have a steady supply of HFCs.
For example, venting HFC gases and releasing refrigerants into the atmosphere is not only illegal.
It contributes to environmental harm and depletes the supply source for these gases.
Ensure proper recovery by capturing HFCs in recovery cylinders and never venting.
Then, you can work with a reclamation partner to turn the gas back into a usable product.
Once a reclaimer has the material, they can get to work on separating, processing, and reclaiming the gases before laboratory testing and analysis to certify them for quality assurance purposes.
Mixed Refrigerants
There’s been a misconception in the field that mixed refrigerants cannot be reclaimed, and if they are, they’re of inferior quality.
That’s simply not true.
While separation is an additional, complex step in the reclamation process, it is still best to reclaim mixed refrigerants.
Well before the introduction of the AIM Act, A-Gas began heavily investing in separation technology instead of instituting penalties for mixed refrigerants as many reclaimers do.
Working with an Experienced Reclamation Partner
In choosing a reclamation partner, it’s important to work with an organization that has the experience, capacity, and relevant technology needed to provide the highest-quality product possible.
Lifecycle refrigerant management provides businesses with a singular partner for their refrigerant recovery, reclamation, and supply needs.
Luckily, the phase-down will take place over time.
For now, businesses should look to minimize their allowance usage with reclaimed HFCs.
When HFCs are used, selling them to reclamation companies will generate additional income for businesses to use on future equipment costs while ensuring the continued availability of HFCs during the transition.
However, if businesses don’t have a plan for navigating a restricted HFC supply chain, it is clearly beneficial to get one in place.
EPA-compliant removal solutions are the bedrock of lifecycle refrigerant management, without which reclamation or reuse cannot occur.
There’s been a misconception in the field that mixed refrigerants cannot be reclaimed, and if they are, they’re of inferior quality.
Businesses can also purchase reclaimed refrigerants directly through reputable suppliers, without exchanging or recovering their own gases.
