US

The US food industry's preparation to R-22 phase-out was one of the issues addressed at the 27th annual Food Marketing Institute Energy Conference in Phoenix, US, in September 2006. At least 70% of US commercial refrigerating systems still use R-22 and key phaseout deadlines will start in 2010: - Jan. 1, 2010: ban on production and import of R-22 and R-142b, except for ongoing servicing needs in equipment manufactured before Jan. 1, 2010 and ban on remaining production and import of these refrigerants by Jan. 1, 2020; - Jan. 1, 2015: ban on production and import of all other HCFCs, except for ongoing servicing needs in equipment manufactured before Jan. 1, 2020 and ban on remaining production and import by Jan. 1, 2030. A representative of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that EPA anticipates a Notice of Proposed Rule Making in Spring 2007, which will propose tightening the current limit of 35% leak rate of refrigerants per year and mandate repair and verification of all leaks. The primary reasons for refrigerant loss are mechanical wear (64%) and vibration (22%). About 55% of instances involving mechanical wear were attributed to loose fittings. The primary locations for refrigerant loss were mechanical rooms (56%) followed by display cases (16%) and condensers (12%).