To inform contractors, manufacturers, end users and others of “the ever-changing [regulatory] landscape in the refrigeration industry” in the U.S., the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) has launched a new micro-site, www.AimAct.org.
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, enacted in December 2020, authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate HFCs via a phase down of production and imports, a transition to lower-GWP technology via sector-based HFC restrictions and management of existing refrigerants. On October 6, the EPA announced a final “Technology Transitions” rule, the second part of the AIM Act, and a proposed rule on the management of existing refrigerants.
“We have launched a new micro-site to inform a wider audience of the latest changes in our industry,” IIAR said in a press release. The new site explains the AIM Act and poses the choice in the U.S. between moving to natural refrigerants or sticking with “fourth generation” synthetic HFOs.
Last week, the EU approved a provisional agreement updating its F-gas Regulation, including bans of all f-gases, including HFOs, in domestic heat pumps and some air conditioners from 2032 and 2035, respectively. “Other countries and states will likely implement either phase-down or phase-out legislation of HFOs over the next decade,” IIAR warns on the micro-site.
The Institute states that the natural refrigerant options, including ammonia (R717), CO2 (R744) and hydrocarbons like propane (R290), “will never be regulated out of the refrigeration market,” making them future-proof. “All natural refrigerants are sustainable and are often more energy-efficient and cost-effective [than synthetics].” In addition, the risks associated with natural refrigerants can be “mitigated” by following IIAR standards, the institute says.
To support switching to future-proof natural refrigerants, IIAR invites further exploration of its resources, which include learning more about the AIM Act, becoming an IIAR member and using its Natural Refrigeration Directory.
National Refrigeration Directory
According to the micro-site, IIAR’s Natural Refrigeration Directory (NRD), introduced this year, allows potential customers to see a comprehensive list of “verified group member organizations” who are “experts” in natural refrigeration. “You can find a vendor [to] help you go forward naturally,” IIAR says.
“We will also invest digital advertising resources to drive traffic to the Natural Refrigeration Directory,” the Institute said.
The directory allows exploration of the natural refrigeration community organized by the subcategories: contractor, educator, end user, engineer/consultant and manufacturer. A description of each company and its contact information is included.
NRD listing is part of IIAR 2023/24 group member benefits and can be obtained by filling out the NRD form. Pricing for group membership is based on the number of individuals from the same company joining, with membership application found here.
Potential NRD listees must provide a quality image of the company logo, a brief synopsis of services and define operating locations.
“We have launched a new micro-site to inform a wider audience of the latest changes in our industry.”
IIAR
