AIR CONDITIONERS & REFRIGERATORS CONTAINING HYDROCHLOROFLUORCARBONS ARE BANNED

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ruled that greenhouse gases “threaten the public health” of Americans, and will now be federally regulated.

Effective January 1, 2010, the sale, distribution, or entering into commerce of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances containing HCFC-22, HCFC-142b, or blends containing one or both of these substances is prohibited.

The ban extends to imported appliances and U.S. appliances destined for export, such as window air-conditioning units, residential split systems and supermarket refrigeration equipment.

The prohibitions do not apply to pre-charged appliances or pre-charged appliance components that are manufactured prior to January 1, 2010. Pre-charged appliances and components that have been manufactured prior to January 1, 2010 may be sold and distributed in interstate commerce.

Information on this and other recent developments can be obtained from our technical consulting group.