Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors – National Association (PHCC) and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) have filed a legal challenge to portions of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Technology Transitions Reconsideration Rule.
The associations oppose extended deadlines for major commercial refrigeration applications, which allow continued manufacture of new systems using high-global-warming-potential HFC refrigerants. They argue that the amendments will increase refrigerant demand in supermarket, retail food and cold storage applications while HFC supply continues to decline under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
According to PHCC, the EPA’s analysis projects a 12% to 24% increase in US refrigerant prices by 2029 because of the delays. The petitioners also say extended use of legacy HFCs in retail food refrigeration and cold storage could reduce refrigerant availability for other sectors, including residential air conditioning.
The groups support the EPA’s removal of the installation prohibition for existing R-410A split-system residential and light commercial air conditioners and heat pumps. They said this measure could prevent stranded inventory and disruption for distributors, contractors, builders and consumers.
The associations also noted that the original Technology Transitions Rule applied only to new equipment and did not require businesses to replace existing refrigeration systems. Existing equipment could continue to operate and be serviced.
“The final reconsideration rule’s treatment of commercial refrigeration is legally flawed, economically reckless, and directly at odds with the AIM Act,” said Talbot Gee, CEO of HARDI.
