At WDS Construction, we regularly engage with potential new owners and clients looking to build a new facility or expand their current one. As design-builders and general contractors, this area is The Cold World for us!
One common discussion area across all projects is refrigeration. Many owners of existing facilities have a favorite choice that typically has served them well for many years. However, when it comes to change, they have many questions.
Conversely, new owners with the appetite to dive into Cold Storage or cold-related process businesses are looking for the right answer about which direction to move with a new refrigerated system.
WDS utilizes highly experienced refrigeration consultants and subcontractors to assist with answering these questions and making recommendations to our clients for their upcoming projects. These individuals have the most knowledge, understand the regulations, and the overall direction the industry is heading. Our clients appreciate having these candid conversations, which assists them in making decisions.
These individuals you have made a life in the refrigeration industry garner their information from many sources. I thought it may be useful to provide some sources and information regarding the direction that cold storage is heading in the coming years.
In the realm of cold storage, maintaining optimal temperatures is critical for preserving perishable goods. Traditionally, Freon (a brand name for a group of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs and HCFCs) has been a popular refrigerant due to its efficiency, economical pricing and continual high system performance. However, evolving environmental regulations are prompting significant changes in the use of Freon, impacting cold storage facilities worldwide.
Unfortunately, there is some misinformation floating around in our cold storage industry regarding the future of “Freon.”
The most notable regulatory changes are driven by the Montreal Protocol and its subsequent amendments, specifically targeting substances that deplete the ozone layer. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented strict regulations to phase out HCFCs, including Freon (R-22). The production and import of R-22 ceased in 2020, and only recycled or stockpiled quantities can now be used.
Furthermore, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted globally, aims to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases. These regulations are pushing the industry towards more environmentally-friendly refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP), such as ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2), and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs).
The EPA, by way of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM), and the Technology Transitions Rule, provides regulations to phase down/restrict hydrofluorocarbon usage. It is important to understand this document
Worth noting is that the Final Technology Transitions Rule does not restrict the continued use of any existing products or RACHP systems. The EPA is allowing existing systems to continue in use until the end of their useful life to ensure a smooth transition in the phasing down process of HFC’s.
The Rule clarifies that a product or system may be serviced and repaired throughout its useful life. This includes replacing components as needed. Those components needed to repair existing RACHP equipment may continue to be manufactured, imported, sold, distributed, or exported.
The Rule also contains definition and distinction between maintenance of a system and the installation of a new system.
Existing cold storage facilities using Freon will face several challenges:
Given the regulatory pressures and operational challenges, many cold storage facilities will need to retrofit their existing systems or replace them entirely with new refrigerant systems. This may involve:
For more detailed information and guidance on the new regulations and their implications, consider the following resources:
Again, it is important to read and digest the various rules, acts and new regulations. By staying informed and proactive, cold storage facility owners can navigate these regulatory changes effectively, ensuring both compliance and operational efficiency.
Do you have questions or would you like to discuss upgrading or retrofitting your refrigeration system? Reach out to Tom White, Senior Vice President of Cold Storage.
