The Commercial Refrigerant Phase-Out, Explained for Foodservice
Why your new reach-in ships with propane, what happens to your R-404A walk-in, and the dates that actually matter — grounded in EPA’s AIM Act rules.
What’s in force today (and what got delayed)
The one date most foodservice operators feel is the Jan 1, 2025 cap on new self-contained units. The caps for supermarket racks, remote condensing units, and cold storage were pushed back to Jan 1, 2032 by EPA’s May 26, 2026 reconsideration, which set higher interim caps in the meantime.
| Equipment type | GWP cap | Effective date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-contained / stand-alone units — reach-ins, stand-alone display cases, most self-contained ice makers | 150 | Jan 1, 2025 — IN FORCE | This is the date that affects most foodservice buyers today. New units ship with R-290 or an A2L. |
| Remote condensing units | 1,400 (interim) → 150/300 | Interim now; 150/300 by Jan 1, 2032 | Delayed from Jan 1, 2026 by the May-2026 reconsideration. |
| Supermarket / centralized systems | 1,400 (interim) → 150/300 | Interim now; 150/300 by Jan 1, 2032 | CO₂ transcritical is the long-term compliant path. |
| Cold storage / refrigerated warehouses | 700 (interim) → 150/300 | Interim now; 150/300 by Jan 1, 2032 | Delayed from Jan 1, 2026 by the reconsideration. |
| Walk-in coolers & freezers | (inherits its system type) | Follows the category above | A self-contained walk-in = 150 GWP (Jan 1, 2025); a walk-in on a remote rack follows the remote/supermarket dates. |
Why now: the AIM Act phasedown
The 2020 American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act directs EPA to cut U.S. production and import of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 85% below baseline by 2036, on this schedule:
| Period | HFC supply allowed (share of baseline) |
|---|---|
| 2020–2023 | 90% |
| 2024–2028 | 60% (40% cut) |
| 2029–2033 | 30% |
| 2034–2035 | 20% |
| 2036 → | 15% (85% below baseline) |
As virgin supply steps down, the price of high-GWP service gas (R-404A, R-507A) rises — the practical pressure to retrofit or replace, even where servicing stays legal.
The refrigerant swap, at a glance
On the way out
| Refrigerant | GWP* | Safety class | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-404A | 3,922 | A1 | Legacy medium/low-temp — being phased out of new equipment |
| R-507A | 3,985 | A1 | Legacy low-temp — being phased out |
| R-134a | 1,430 | A1 | Legacy medium-temp — restricted in new self-contained units |
| R-22 (HCFC) | 1,810 | A1 | Ozone-depleting; production/import banned since 2020, service via reclaimed only |
What’s replacing them
| Refrigerant | GWP* | Safety class | Where it's used |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-290 (propane) | 3 | A3 | Self-contained reach-ins, display cases, ice machines — flammable, charge-limited |
| R-454C | ≈148 | A2L | Low-GWP A2L for new self-contained & some remote systems (mildly flammable) |
| R-513A | 631 | A1 | Non-flammable R-134a replacement (medium-temp) |
| R-448A / R-449A | ≈1,390 | A1 | R-404A retrofit — OK under interim caps, above the final 150/300 |
| R-744 (CO₂) | 1 | A1 | Transcritical supermarket racks & cascade systems |
| R-717 (ammonia) | 0 | B2L | Industrial / large cold storage (toxic) |
*GWP = 100-year global-warming potential, AR4 basis (the values the AIM Act uses). Single-component values are firm; blend values (R-448A/R-449A/R-454C/R-513A) are approximate and vary a few points between published sources.
R-290 (propane): efficient, low-GWP — and flammable
Most new self-contained foodservice refrigeration now uses R-290, a natural hydrocarbon with a GWP of about 3. It’s efficient and cheap, but it is an A3 (flammable) refrigerant, so units carry a limited charge. UL 60335-2-89 (2nd edition, 2021) raised the allowed charge from the old 150 g limit to roughly 300 g (closed cases) to 500 g (open cases), set by a charge-vs-room-size formula. Practical implications: keep the condenser area clear and well-ventilated, don’t modify the sealed system, and use a technician trained and equipped for flammable refrigerants.
What to actually do
Buying new equipment
Expect R-290 or an A2L on any new self-contained unit. Confirm the nameplate refrigerant and that your service company handles flammable/A2L refrigerants. Low-GWP units are often more efficient — check the ENERGY STAR and energy-use figures.
Keeping older R-404A systems running
Legal to service. Prioritize leak-tightness (it’s now your biggest cost lever), and plan a retrofit (R-448A/R-449A) or replacement on your own timeline as virgin R-404A gets scarce and costly.
Compliance basics
Under EPA Section 608, only certified technicians may buy refrigerant and service equipment, and venting is prohibited. Appliances with ≥15 lb of refrigerant have leak-repair and recordkeeping obligations (a 20% annual leak-rate trigger for commercial refrigeration).
Questions
Is R-404A banned? Can I still service my existing walk-in or reach-in?
You can keep running and servicing existing R-404A and R-507A equipment — there is no ban on servicing installed systems. What changed is that new equipment can no longer be built with high-GWP HFCs, and the HFC production phasedown steadily tightens virgin supply (down to 60% of baseline for 2024–2028, 30% for 2029–2033), so make-up gas gets more expensive. Keep systems leak-tight and plan for a retrofit (e.g. to R-448A/R-449A) or replacement over time.
Why does my new reach-in or ice machine use flammable propane (R-290)?
Since January 1, 2025, new self-contained commercial refrigeration must use a refrigerant with a GWP of 150 or less. The practical options at that level are R-290 (propane, an A3 hydrocarbon) or an A2L such as R-454C. R-290 is efficient and has a GWP of about 3, but it is flammable, so units carry a limited charge and must be serviced by a technician trained for flammable refrigerants.
How much R-290 can a self-contained unit hold?
UL 60335-2-89 (2nd edition, 2021) raised the flammable-refrigerant charge limit well above the old 150-gram cap — up to roughly 300 g for closed cases and 500 g for open cases, with the exact allowance set by a charge-vs-room-size formula. Check the equipment’s nameplate and listing rather than assuming a flat number.
What are the supermarket and cold-storage GWP dates now?
The original 2023 rule set 150/300-GWP caps for supermarket systems, remote condensing units, and cold storage on Jan 1, 2026–2027. EPA’s May 26, 2026 reconsideration raised interim caps (1,400 for retail-food remote/supermarket; 700 for cold storage) and moved the final 150/300 caps to Jan 1, 2032. Confirm the current date for your exact system type on EPA’s Technology Transitions page before budgeting.
Who is allowed to buy and handle these refrigerants?
Under EPA Section 608, only certified technicians may buy HFC/HFO refrigerants and service the equipment, and venting is prohibited — refrigerant must be recovered. Appliances holding 15 lb or more of refrigerant are subject to leak-repair and recordkeeping rules (a 20% annual leak-rate trigger for commercial refrigeration).
Primary sources: EPA — Technology Transitions by sector · EPA — HFC phasedown FAQ · Federal Register — 2026 reconsideration final rule · EPA — Section 608 refrigerant management · UL 60335-2-89 (2nd ed., 2021). Compiled by Resultex Media Group · Editorially reviewed · Last verified August 2026. Regulatory dates change — verify against EPA before purchasing or budgeting.