EAp2: Fundamental Refrigerant Management – Above Green

Required

Intent

To reduce stratospheric ozone depletion.

Requirements

Do not use chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based refrigerants in heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems unless a third-party audit shows that system replacement or conversion is not economically feasible or unless a phase-out plan for CFC-based refrigerants is in place. Phase-out plans should be scheduled for completion within 10 years. The replacement or conversion of HVAC&R equipment is considered not economically feasible if the simple payback of the replacement or conversion is greater than 10 years. Perform the following economic analysis:

If CFC-based refrigerants are maintained in the project, reduce annual leakage to 5% or less using the procedures in the Clean Air Act, Title VI, Rule 608, governing refrigerant management and reporting (or a local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.), and reduce the total leakage over the remaining life of the unit to less than 30% of its refrigerant charge.

Small HVAC&R units (defined as containing less than 0.5 pound [225 grams] of refrigerant), standard refrigerators, small water coolers, and any other cooling equipment that contains less than 0.5 pound (225 grams) of refrigerant are exempt.