Lists of Substitutes for ODS in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Substitutes are reviewed on the basis of ozone depletion potential, global warming potential, toxicity, flammability, and exposure potential as described in the final SNAP rule (59 FR 13044; file size is 967K). Lists of acceptable and unacceptable substitutes are updated several times each year. A chronological list of SNAP updates is available from the hotline.

The SNAP program makes decisions on a particular substitute in a particular end-use within a larger sector. For example, within the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, HFC-134a is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-12 in new and retrofitted household refrigerators. Acceptable substitutes are listed by end-use. These lists include substitutes that are either acceptable , acceptable subject to narrowed use limits, or acceptable subject to use conditions. Because the number of unacceptable substitutes is very small, they are listed by sector.

Please note: Originally, EPA used generic names instead of trade names. A list links generic and trade names. Since the May 1996 Final Rule, however, all lists have used trade names.

Substitutes that are Acceptable, Acceptable Subject to Narrowed Use Limits, or Acceptable Subject to Use Conditions

• Centrifugal Chillers Using CFC-11, CFC-114, Other Refrigerants
• Reciprocating and Screw Chillers
• Industrial Process Refrigeration
• Industrial Process Air Conditioning
• Ice Skating Rinks
• Very Low Temperature Refrigeration
• Heat Transfer Systems
• Cold Storage Warehouses
• Refrigerated Transport
• Retail Food Refrigeration
• Commercial Ice Machines
• Vending Machines
• Water Coolers
• Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning
• Household Refrigerators and Freezers
• Residential Dehumidifiers
• Household & Light Commercial Air Conditioning

Unacceptable Substitutes

• All Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning End Uses

Additional Information

Acceptable and Unacceptable Substitutes & Contact Information for Manufacturers

Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file (132 K) with all the above tables together in one document.