HFC-32 Refrigerant Receives EPA Approval Via SNAP Program

HOUSTON, Texas — The Environmental Protection Agency has announced the coming final approval of HFC-32 (R-32) refrigerant for use in certain refrigeration and air conditioning applications. This final action addresses President Obama’s Climate Action Plan that calls on EPA’s Significant New Alternative Policy program to identify and approve additional climate-friendly chemicals as determined by the EPA.

“This acceptance of R-32 is a great achievement for the Daikin organization.  Not only did Daikin representatives submit the application to the EPA,” states Takeshi Ebisu, president and CEO, “but this action represents the EPA’s first SNAP approval of a lower global warming potential refrigerant for any household comfort cooling HVAC application in the United States.” Ebisu added, “A critical part of the SNAP review and approval process is EPA’s consideration of whether an alternative is safe in its proposed use. EPA’s SNAP approval is based on EPA’s conclusion that R-32 can be safely managed in these applications.”

HFC-32, a chlorine-free, single-component refrigerant, will now become an EPA-approved refrigerant for use in home air conditioning. It offers a global warming potential of about one-third compared to currently used R-410A refrigerant. When used in approved refrigeration and air conditioning products, up to 30 percent less refrigerant is needed for proper charge levels compared to R-410A refrigerant, further reducing potential climate impact.

Successfully used across Asia, it is estimated that HFC-32 refrigerant is contained in approximately 8 million total units in Japan and in approximately 5 million units manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd. HFC-32 will be approved for use in equipment meeting the requirements of UL Standard 484 and the use conditions of the EPA SNAP approval. Such equipment includes packaged terminal air conditioners, window room air conditioners and portable air conditioners.

For more information regarding the EPA’s SNAP program and this ruling, visit http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/index.html.