Updates on Alternative 

Refrigerants and MVAC 

Servicing

Yaidi Cancel

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

SAE ICCSC Meeting

January 17, 2012
Overview

• Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP)

– Regulatory activities

– Other rules on alternative refrigerants

• Light-duty Vehicle Proposed Rule

• Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 609 regulations

– Update on future regulatory revisions

• Blends of R-134a/R-40

2
SNAP: Regulatory Actions

• SNAP/MVAC rules status

– HFO-1234yf final rule published March 29, 2011 (76 FR 17488) 

• Acceptable subject to use conditions

• Passenger cars and light-duty trucks only

– CO2final rule - anticipate publication 2012

– HFO-1234yf service container fittings

• Adopting revised SAE J2844 standard (October 2011 version)

• Anticipate publication 2012

– HFC-134a

• Petition to reconsider for MVAC in new light-duty vehicles complete

• Next steps: pre-proposal e.g., meeting with stakeholders, consider timing 

for alternatives and lead time for OEMs

3
Other Rules on HFO-1234yf

• SNUR

– Final rule published on October 27, 2010 (75 FR 65987)

– Addresses potential health concerns

– Requires SNUN submission 90 days before using HFO1234yf for:

• Distribution in commerce of consumer products for servicing, 

maintenance, and disposal

• Uses other than charging MVAC by OEMs in new vehicles

• Volatile organic compound (VOC) exemption 

– Petition granted to exempt HFO-1234yf from VOC status

– Proposed rule published in October 17, 2011 (76 FR 64059)

4
EPA/NHTSA Light Duty 

Proposed Rule

• 2017-2025 MY light-duty vehicle GHG emissions 

and CAFE standards

– Published December 1, 2011

• Public comment period extended to February 13, 2012

– 163 g/mi (54.5mpg) fleet-wide emission compliance targets

– A/C credit program to continue (both efficiency and leakage)

– NHTSA to incorporate efficiency credits into CAFE 

• Maximum of 5g/mi car & 7.2g/mi truck 

– Max leakage credit is 18.8g/mi car & 24.4g/mi truck

• Mostly for low GWP refrigerants 

– Credit program will be similar to that in 2012-2016 final rule

5
EPA/NHTSA Light Duty 

MVAC Efficiency Test

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0 1800 3600 5400 7200

Time (seconds) - 2 hour block of site time

EPA 74 Preconditioning and MAC Cycle - Solar ON and AC ON

Vehicle and Site

Preparations

30 minutes

Site Conditions:

77 F, 50% RH 

Road Speed Fan

Vehicle Conditions:

Windows open or 

closed

Interior 77 ± 2 F

Cold or Hot Start

Solar and AC OFF

SC03

Phase 3

Bag 1

HWFET Analyze Data

Phase 4

Bag 2

Hot Solar Soak

Solar Load = 850 W/m2for 53 minutes OFF

Phase 1

 Preconditioning

505 s

Phase 2

866 s

EPA 74

Fan at Road Fan Speed at 4 mph Fan at Road Speed

AC ON

Speed (mph)

6
CAA §609: MVAC Servicing

Current Regulation

• Technician training & certification

• Refrigerant sales restriction

– Only R-12 (<20lbs containers)

• Approved refrigerant handling equipment

– Certified by UL/ETL to meet SAE stds (e.g., SAE 2788)

– Submit form to EPA – shop/equipment owners 

• Demonstrating that has acquired and is properly using equipment

• Recordkeeping 

• CAA No venting applies, all refrigerants including all 

substitutes unless specifically exempted (e.g. CO2)

– No venting HFO-1234yf during service, repair and disposal

7
CAA §609: Potential Regulation

 Updates 

• Potential adoption of SAE standards for HFO-1234yf

– Revised SAE J2843 – R/R/R

– Revised SAE J2851 – Recovery-only

– Anticipated proposal 2012

• Non-regulatory update

– Technician training covering SNAP-approved MVAC 

refrigerants

8
R-40 SNAP Illegal

• Selling R-40 or blends containing R-134a and R-40 

is illegal under the Clean Air Act (CAA)

 The use and introduction into interstate commerce of R-40 

or blends of R-134a/R-40 for MVAC is a CAA violation

R-40

9
10

• SNAP & MVAC servicing

Yaidi Cancel (202-343-9512)

http://www.epa.gov/snap/

http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/609/

• HFO-1234yf SNUR

Ken Moss (202-564-9232)

• HFO-1234yf VOC exemption

Dave Sanders (919-541-3356)

• Light-Duty GHG rule (A/C section)

Brian Nelson (734-214-4278)

For Additional Information
Additional Slides

11
Taking Action for 

Sound ODS Phaseout

• CAA §612 – SNAP program

▫ Evaluates/lists substitutes that reduce overall risk to 

human health & environment 

▫ Considers health, environmental factors including: 

 e.g., ODP, GWP, toxicity, flammability

▫ Lists substitutes for specific end uses

 Acceptable, acceptable w/restrictions, or unacceptable

12

SNAP: Identifying Safer

 Alternatives

Notice Rulemaking required
13

13

Motor Vehicle Transition

Yesterday: high-GWP/ODP 

CFCs

Today: high-GWP HFCs

Tomorrow: low GWP 

alternatives

CFC-12

HFC-134a

HFO-1234yf 

CO2
EPA/NHTSA Light Duty 

Proposed Rule

• EPA/NHTSA indicates the MY 2017-2025 standards 

can be met with a wide range of technologies

– Advanced gasoline engines (turbocharged/downsized) and 

transmissions (8-speed transmission and high efficiency 

gear box)

– Vehicle mass reduction

– Lower tire rolling resistance

– Improved aerodynamics

– More efficient vehicle accessories

– Improved air conditioning efficiency & alternative 

refrigerants

– Some increased hybrids, EVs, PHEVs

14
Proposed MVAC Cycle 

Modifications

• Test site at 25oC and 50 %RH

• One test sequence

• One test report

– Bag 1 = SC03 A/C ON

– Bag 2 = HWY A/C ON

– Bag 3 = SC03 A/C OFF

– Bag 4 = HWY A/C OFF

– Δ SC03, Δ HWY, and Δ Total [gm CO2/mile]

• Increased accuracy and repeatability

– Solar and A/C ON after initial vehicle soak

– A/C OFF after shortened and consistent soak 

between Bag 2 and second Preconditioning

– Same site, same fuel, same preparation, and 

same driver.

– Realistic amount of time to prepare vehicle, 

calibrate test site, and rest for driver

Time [min]

4 Hours

45

23

30

10

13

15

23

30

10

13

30

Drain and Fill

Preperation Cycle

Soak for 12 to 36 Hours

Preconditioning - EPA 74

Solar Soak

Bag 1 - SC03 - A/C ON

Vehicle/Site Preperation

Bag 2 - HWY - A/C ON

Soak

Preconditioning - EPA 74

Soak

Bag 3 - SC03 - A/C OFF

Bag 4 - HWY - A/C OFF

Analyze Data

15