Canadian Refrigerant Transition:
We welcome another New Year, 2025; This year will bring happiness and success. The outcome will always be positive if one proactively plans and implements these plans with success.
HRAI has been active in planning refrigerant transition support and strategies for over 20 months. We have been involved in gathering information which is used for training, to ensure safety, regulatory and compliance of member companies. This will ensure Canada will meet HFC phase down and GWP reduction target. We wish to use this as an opportunity to share answers to frequently asked questions and other industry information which can help navigate the refrigerant transition.
There is a wealth of information that has been presented in the HRAI Refrigerant Transition Update Webinar as well as training that is available online. The content contained within the presentations have links to information which can be easily used as reference for regulation compliance. We have provided a summary of the topics below:
U.S. Update Samantha Slater (AHRI)
Canadian Update Michel Gauvin (Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Manufacturer Issues Pushpinder Rana (Mitsubishi Electric)
Provinces & CSA B52:23 Perry Chao (HRAI)
Storage of A2Ls Gautham Shine (HRAI)
Transportation of A2Ls Ian McTeer (HRAI)
The start of 2025 has started Ozone-depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations (SOR/2016-137
Products Containing or Designed to Contain an HFC Used as a Refrigerant
Chillers new installations, <750 GWP limit of HFC refrigerant
A chiller is: refrigeration or air-conditioning system that has a compressor, an evaporator, and a secondary coolant, other than an absorption chiller.
It could include water-to-air or air-to-air chillers, chillers with a heat pump function as well as other types that fall under the definition.
Residential standalone refrigeration GWP <150
Mobile refrigeration GWP <2200
The regulatory changes will change in how these systems are installed, serviced, and supported. The supply chain for equipment, parts, tools, refrigerants, and cylinders will be challenged. Regulations require that there be added safety features that are required by regulation such as refrigerant detection systems (RDS),
It is important that there is initiative-taking planning to provide supply chain timing to react to these changes and challenges. Communication with manufacturers and suppliers is key to ensuring the information they can use to forecast the supply chain requirements. The manufacturers and suppliers will continue to manage existing products but will be taking on new OEM equipment, technologies, parts, and refrigerants with added complexity around transportation and warehousing servicing. This is sure to stress the supply chain so lead time and communication are key.
Optimistic results and outcome for the future will surely depend on these HRAI members and valued manufacturers and suppliers to successfully execute all the changes needed.
Please reach out to HRAI if there are specific topics which you would like more information.
Director of Regulatory Affairs
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