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New Webinar Series: The Journey to Lower-GWP Refrigerants

Published Date
Author Kurt Knapke

*On June 1, 2023 Emerson’s Climate Technologies business became a new standalone company – Copeland. Though our name has changed, we are building on more than a century of HVACR innovation and industry leadership, and Copeland continues to offer the same products, industry stewardship, and learning opportunities you’ve grown to trust. Information found on this webpage posted before June 1, 2023 may contain our old name or branding, but you can be at ease knowing it was created with the knowledge and expertise of Copeland. 

The transition to refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP) is impacting stakeholders throughout commercial refrigeration and AC supply chains. Over the next few years, the phasedown of high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — and subsequent phase-in of lower-GWP refrigerant alternatives — will transform system architectures, affect equipment design cycles, and influence corporate sustainability decisions. In a new six-part webinar series, Copeland will examine multiple angles of the lower-GWP refrigerant transition to help stakeholders make informed decisions and take steps to achieve their operational and sustainability goals.

A Fine-tuned System and Digital Compressors Bring Cool Chunk of Change to One Supermarket
Whether you’re an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), end user, service technician or design consultant, your transition to lower-GWP refrigeration will be unique. For many U.S. stakeholders, this transition may not have been a top priority until very recently. But for operators in states like California — who face compliance with California Air Resources Board (CARB) refrigerant rulemaking — you’ve likely already taken significant strides in this journey.

With the passing of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, the prospect of a nationwide, federal HFC phasedown is now on the horizon. The AIM Act restores the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase down HFC production and consumption through sector-based controls. At the same time, environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives are prompting many companies to commit to short- and long-term decarbonization targets. Combined, these factors are driving commercial refrigeration and AC sectors toward the use of lower-GWP refrigerants.

Among the next generation of alternatives are proven natural refrigerants — including CO2 (or R-744) and the A3 propane (or R-290) — and the emergence of a new class of synthetic A2L options. Although each of these refrigerants deliver significant GWP reductions, they introduce new performance characteristics, system architectures and operational caveats that differ from traditional HFC systems. Selecting a lower-GWP refrigerant for a new or retrofit application will require aligning end-user preferences with a variety of application, installation and operational considerations. Unlike previous generations of refrigeration technology, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to system design using these lower-GWP refrigerants.

For our Journey to Lower-GWP Refrigerants webinar series, we took all these factors into consideration and developed a framework that will help to inform the next steps on your refrigerant journey. From regulations and safety standards to refrigerant-specific applications and operational caveats, you’ll find answers to help you navigate the road ahead. Make plans to join us in the coming weeks for these informative sessions:

  • Regulatory Update: The Latest in Refrigerant Rulemaking and Safety Standards: view on demand — Rapidly evolving refrigerant regulations are reshaping the commercial refrigeration and AC industries. Learn about the regulations that will impact you and find a path forward on your journey to lower-GWP refrigeration.
  • Preparing for Emerging Refrigerants and CARB Compliance: view on demand — The global phasedown of HFC refrigerants has officially arrived in the U.S. Explore how emerging low-GWP refrigerants — such as CO2, R-290 and A2Ls — can help you to comply with CARB mandates and new federal rulemaking.
  • Setting the Stage for A2L Adoption in Commercial Refrigeration: Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. EDT/11 a.m. PDT — Offering low GWP and lower flammability, A2L refrigerants are poised for wider adoption in U.S. commercial refrigeration. Discover the path to A2L approval, explore leading options, and learn about safety best practices.
  • Navigating the CO2 Refrigeration Landscape: Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. EDT/11 a.m. PDT — U.S. food retailers are evaluating CO2 for their next-generation refrigeration strategies. Review CO2’s unique performance characteristics, learn how to optimize system performance in various climates, and explore our fully integrated CO2
  • Applying R-290 in Commercial Refrigeration Applications: Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. EDT/11 a.m. PDT — Used in low-charge, self-contained systems, R-290 plays a key role in many end users’ low-GWP refrigerant strategies. Learn how updates to safety standards pave the way for higher R-290 charge limits and increased application potential.
  • The Role of A2L Refrigerants in Commercial Air Conditioning: Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. EDT/11 a.m. PDT — Low-GWP A2L refrigerants are poised to play an expanded role in the commercial AC sector. Learn how to manage the transition, review the latest regulatory and building code updates, and explore safety management and risk mitigation strategies.

We all have key decisions to make to enable the successful transition to the next generation of lower-GWP refrigerants. We hope this webinar series helps to equip you with the information you need to move forward on your journey with confidence.

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