Appliance Suppliers Continue Move to HFC

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. home appliance industry continues to transition away from home refrigerators and freezers that utilize very high global warming hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants as part of a government-supported effort to improve energy efficiency and safety, and reduce harmful environmental impacts, according to the nation’s leading trade association of appliance manufacturers.

At the same time, the Washington, DC-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is compiling a Buyer’s Guide enabling design professionals, remodelers and other appliance specifiers, as well as homeowners, to access a list of HFC-free refrigerators that contain the efficient natural refrigerant isobutane (R600a) in lieu of those that use super pollutant hydrofluorocarbons (high-GWP HFCs) such as R134a, EIA officials said. The Buyer’s Guide currently lists more than 50 “climate-friendly” refrigerator/freezer models from manufacturers that include Bosch, Frigidaire, GE Appliances, Haier, Hisense, LG, Samsung, SUMMIT and Whirlpool Corp., the EIA said. Each model includes brand name, model number and whether the unit is qualified or certified by the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program, the EIA added, noting that the products are labeled with a sticker located on the inside compartment that lists which type of refrigerant has been used.

EIA officials said that the guide will continue to be updated and encouraged individuals to submit information on unlisted R600a refrigerators to [email protected].

According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), many states are currently requiring the adoption of energy-efficient hydrocarbon refrigeration for both compact and larger household products sold in the U.S. market. The deadline for compliance is Jan. 1, 2025.

“Home appliance manufacturers have committed to transitioning out of the use of very high-GWP refrigerants and foam-blowing agents in household refrigerators and freezers,” said the Washington, DC-based AHAM, adding that the industry is “committed to reducing its environmental footprint, and this transition is an achievable goal.”

Transitioning out of HFCs for refrigerators and freezers will also affect the servicing of appliances, said AHAM, which has published information on its website, www.aham.org.

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