How do I know if my chiller is compliant with new refrigerant regulations?

The refrigerant type and refrigerant charge are shown on the rating plate attached to the chiller.

The rating plate will normally also include the model and serial number, which can help ATC identify the original specification of the equipment.

If you are contacting us about an existing chiller, a clear photograph of the complete rating plate is useful.

See “What refrigerant is used in my chiller and how much is used?” for more information.

Rules restricting the refrigerants used in new equipment are different from rules governing existing installed equipment.

An older chiller using higher-GWP refrigerant does not automatically become illegal simply because newer equipment is subject to tighter refrigerant restrictions.

However, regulations can affect:

• Availability of particular refrigerants
• Servicing and repair options
• Use of reclaimed or recycled refrigerants
• Refrigerant handling requirements
• Whether similar equipment can still be newly placed on the market
• The long-term practicality of maintaining legacy equipment

The age, condition, and refrigerant of an existing chiller should therefore be considered together when deciding whether continued repair or replacement is appropriate.

Within the European Union, Regulation (EU) 2024/573 introduced new restrictions on fluorinated greenhouse gases used in stationary chillers.

From 1st January 2027:

• Chillers with a rated capacity of up to and including 12kW cannot use fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except where required to meet safety requirements at the site of operation.
• Chillers with a rated capacity above 12kW cannot use fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 750 or more, subject to the applicable safety exception.

From 1st January 2032, fluorinated greenhouse gases are prohibited in chillers up to and including 12kW, except where required to meet safety requirements.

These restrictions relate to equipment being placed on the EU market and should not be interpreted as meaning every existing installed chiller must be removed on those dates.

Great Britain operates its own F-Gas regulatory framework following Brexit.

Businesses in England, Scotland, and Wales should therefore check the current GB requirements rather than assuming that EU product prohibitions automatically apply.

Great Britain continues to phase down HFCs and restrict certain uses of higher-GWP gases, but its product restrictions and implementation dates are not identical to those in the EU.

Northern Ireland has different regulatory arrangements and should be assessed according to the rules applicable there.

In the United States, HFC refrigerants are regulated under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introducing GWP limits for certain new refrigeration and chiller equipment.

For many industrial process chillers, a GWP limit of 700 applies, although the compliance date depends on factors including the application and operating temperature. Specific provisions and later compliance dates apply to some applications, including qualifying chillers used for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

These requirements generally apply to specified new products and systems and do not mean that every existing chiller using a higher-GWP refrigerant must immediately be replaced.

Federal requirements may also be supplemented by state-level refrigerant rules, so the installation location should be considered when specifying equipment for the US market.

If you are specifying or replacing a chiller for a US application, provide ATC with the application, required operating temperature, and installation state so that the appropriate solution can be considered.

Many older chillers remain operational and can continue to be supported, depending on their age, condition, refrigerant, and availability of compatible parts.

However, older equipment using refrigerants such as R134a or R407C may become increasingly difficult or expensive to maintain as refrigerant availability, regulatory restrictions, and component obsolescence develop.

ATC can assess the existing equipment and advise whether:

• Continued servicing remains practical
• Repair or refurbishment is appropriate
• Replacement should be considered
• A current lower-GWP chiller provides a more suitable long-term solution

The decision should be based on the complete application rather than refrigerant GWP alone.

ATC’s current product ranges use lower-GWP refrigerants, including R290 and R454C.

The MG and G Series use R290, a natural refrigerant with a very low GWP.

The H Series uses R454C, a lower-GWP refrigerant used where it is appropriate for the product and application.

The correct chiller should still be selected according to cooling capacity, operating temperature, application requirements, safety considerations, and the market in which the equipment will be supplied.

If you would like ATC to review an existing chiller, provide:

• Manufacturer
• Model
• Serial number
• Photograph of the rating plate
• Refrigerant type and charge, where visible
• Country in which the equipment is installed
• Description of the application
• Whether you are seeking service, repair, or replacement

For replacement enquiries, we will also need to understand the current process requirements, including heat load, fluid temperature, flow rate, and process fluid.

Refrigerant regulation is one factor to consider alongside equipment condition, reliability, component availability, servicing costs, and the requirements of the process.

If an older chiller remains reliable and serviceable, continued use may still be appropriate. If repair becomes increasingly difficult or expensive, ATC can help assess whether replacement with a current lower-GWP solution is more suitable.

Contact ATC with your chiller model, serial number, and rating plate details if you are unsure how current refrigerant regulations affect your equipment.