I’m frequently asked, “Why is it suddenly urgent for contractors to implement a refrigerant management strategy?” Although the need for this is more critical than ever, the concept should not be new. As an industry, over the past couple of years we’ve been encouraging HVACR businesses to start outlining their refrigerant management strategy and providing guidance on ways to do so. But now we’ve reached a point where there’s a need to transition from the planning stage to implementation.

As the HFC phasedown continues under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) AIM Act, and as several OEMs introduce A2L-charged equipment, the industry has one foot in the past and one in the future. Legacy HFC refrigerants, slowly on their way to becoming solutions of the past, will continue to play a significant role in HVACR applications. A2Ls are progressing from “next-generation” to “new-generation” solutions and represent the future of refrigerants — coming into use today. Implementing a refrigerant management strategy that accommodates both legacy and new-generation systems can allow you to successfully overcome today’s challenges and leverage current opportunities. The following three areas of focus can get you started.

Legacy Systems

Millions of systems using legacy refrigerants such as R-404A and R-410A are still in operation. Every year, some of these reach the end of their usable life, but in general, you can expect to be servicing legacy systems for quite some time. As the AIM Act progresses in the reduction of HFC production and consumption, you’ll need to adapt business strategies so you can continue to support customers who have legacy systems.

One way to do this is to provide guidance for the decision to repair or replace equipment. Eventually, use of A2Ls will be the most practical solution — and potentially unavoidable. Help customers determine the best time to make the switch, remembering that A2Ls are used in new equipment only, and there are currently no viable retrofit solutions for R-410A.

• How old is the equipment?
• Condition of the equipment — is it performing efficiently, effectively, and safely?
• Can a customer justify costs of continual repairs to a system that is “limping along” rather than investing in replacement?
• Does the customer have the capital budget to invest in new equipment?
• What is the criticality of the system to a customer’s overall operations?
• Is conversion an option to replacement? Thousands of R-404A/R-507 systems have been converted to R-448A/R-449A in recent years, reducing energy consumption and lowering direct GWP by >75%.
• What is the fleet size? Can a customer upgrade slowly to accommodate budget and performance needs?
• What are the corporate sustainability goals and commitments?

It’s also important to source the refrigerants necessary to service customers with legacy systems using R-404A and R-410A, for example. Your refrigerant management strategy should include viable sources for the limited amounts of virgin and reclaimed refrigerants on the market. It may also include redeploying gas from one system to another for a single owner. Lastly, it’s essential you utilize preventive or predictive maintenance to reduce and quickly repair leaks. This will help lower demand for the shrinking supply of legacy products.

Finally, ensure your refrigerant supply is safe, reliable, secure — and legal. Unfortunately, as HFC phasedowns continue, the HVACR industry will be preyed upon by unscrupulous individuals looking to take advantage of high demand and decreasing supply by offering counterfeit or illegally imported products. Such activities pose many risks, so make sure your refrigerant management strategy includes consistent sourcing from a supplier you know and trust.

Transition to A2Ls

This year, we expect to see A2L refrigerants like R-454B replace R-410A in new air conditioning systems. In commercial refrigeration, multiple OEMs have selected A2L replacements such as R-454A and R-454C, which stand to become major refrigerant products. Consequently, suppliers, as well as A2L manufacturers like Chemours, expect a rapid uptick in demand. It’s important your refrigerant management strategy aligns with A2L suppliers you know and trust, so you are prepared to meet customer needs.

Your strategy should also include understanding the impact AIM Act technology transition rules will have on your customers — based on their system applications — and being ready with the right refrigerant at the right time. Lastly, include A2L training and engineering support strategies, which can be an asset to your business and, potentially, a competitive differentiator as the transition continues.

Refrigerant Reclamation

Being a service contractor puts you in a unique position — as a supplier of recovered refrigerants and a consumer of reclaimed ones — to help mitigate the industry’s steepening challenges of reduced HFC supply. While A2Ls will also need to be recovered, the recovery, recycling, and reclamation of legacy refrigerants is more important than ever and should be part of your refrigerant management strategy. The ongoing need for refrigerants to service existing installed equipment, proposed requirements for OEMs to use a certain percentage of reclaimed refrigerant, and limitations on virgin product in certain jurisdictions, all have the potential to increase demand for reclaimed product.

The practical view at this time is that the supply of reclaimed legacy refrigerants will be tight, making it prudent for you to follow a strategy that reduces demand — through, for instance, leak prevention and retrofits — and increases supply through enhanced recovery practices and minimized mixing of refrigerants. Also, your refrigerant management strategy should account for any installed assets you can leverage. Consider the direction and timing of decisions such as internally redeploying, “banking,” or “cashing out” certain refrigerants.

A solid refrigerant management strategy is evergreen and emphasizes quality recovery and reclamation. It enables A2L use, as well as safe, reliable, and secure sourcing. And it provides dedicated technical support and training. Once you implement your strategy, revisit, review, and update it regularly. Doing so will allow you to grow your business and successfully serve customers continuing with legacy equipment, as well as those installing state-of-the-art A2L systems.