Reduce or Eliminate
Use of CFCs & HCFCs in Cooling Equipment
In retrofit
projects with existing air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment,
conduct a life-cycle cost analysis to assess replacement with
equipment using chlorine-free refrigerants. The analysis should
consider rising CFC/HCFC costs, maintenance and energy operating
costs. It is often cheaper to replace older chillers with new
HFC 134a equipment, both on a life-cycle and a first-cost basis.
CFC air conditioners and heat pumps more than eight years old
(midway through typical service lives) are often cost-effectively
replaced by new equipment using HCFC or non-chlorinated refrigerants.
For new equipment,
the choice of air conditioners and heat pumps using non-chlorinated
refrigerants is currently limited. Non-HCFC equipment is preferable,
if it meets capacity, efficiency and other criteria, since HCFC
equipment is likely to be replaced or retrofitted in future as
R-22 (the principal HCFC refrigerant) production ends.
If CFC or
HCFC equipment is used: 
- Provide
sufficient space around equipment, into and out of the building
for future replacement.
- Provide
isolation valves at all inlets, outlets, gauges, etc. to reduce
fugitive emissions.
- Install
high-efficiency purges on chillers.
- Ensure
that operations and maintenance manuals include equipment documentation
complete with start-up and shut-down procedures, and logs that
record refrigerant charge types, amounts and dates.
Caution
- Ensure
that equipment rooms with CFC refrigerants are equipped with
refrigerant release alarms.
