Refrigerant is the working fluid inside every cooler and freezer, and it is heavily regulated. This page answers common questions about the refrigerants restaurants use today, the shift away from high-impact HFCs, and the federal rules that shape service and disposal, including EPA Section 608 certification, the ban on venting, leak-repair requirements, and refrigerant phasedowns under the AIM Act. Rules, dates, and thresholds change and vary by equipment, and any work on the sealed system must be done by a certified technician, so treat this as general guidance and verify current EPA requirements before acting.
Today's commercial refrigerators use a mix of refrigerants. Newer, smaller self-contained units increasingly use natural refrigerant R-290 (propane), while many existing systems run HFC blends such as R-404A or its lower-impact replacements R-448A and R-449A. Older equipment may still hold R-134a or phased-out R-22. Which one your unit uses is on the nameplate. The industry is shifting toward lower global-warming-potential refrigerants under federal rules. Specifics vary and change, so see the commercial refrigeration refrigerant guide.
R-290 is purified propane used as a refrigerant. It is a natural refrigerant with a very low global warming potential and good efficiency, which is why manufacturers have adopted it widely in self-contained undercounter units, reach-ins, and merchandisers. Because it is flammable, it is only allowed in factory-sealed systems with a limited charge, and servicing requires proper training and tools. If your nameplate lists R-290, treat the sealed system accordingly. Adoption and rules continue to expand, so verify current standards for your equipment.
Yes, when used as designed. R-290 is flammable, but commercial units are engineered with small, sealed charges, spark-resistant components, and safety listings (such as UL) that make them safe for kitchen use. The risks come from improper service, drilling into a cabinet, or ignoring the sealed-system warnings. Do not attempt DIY repairs on R-290 equipment, keep the area ventilated, and use a technician trained for flammable refrigerants. Follow the unit's safety labels, since requirements vary by model and jurisdiction.
Because R-290 is flammable, its charge per sealed circuit is capped by safety standards. The limit was long about 150 grams per system, and updated standards and EPA approvals have since allowed larger charges, up to roughly 300 grams, in some qualifying equipment. That is why R-290 appears mostly in smaller self-contained units rather than large systems. Exact limits depend on the equipment type and current standards, so check the nameplate and verify the applicable rule rather than assuming a figure.
R-404A, a common but high global-warming-potential HFC blend used in commercial refrigeration and freezers, is being phased down. Lower-impact HFC blends R-448A and R-449A are the usual drop-in-style replacements for many systems, and natural refrigerants like R-290 and CO2 are used in newer equipment. Retrofitting an existing R-404A system requires a technician to confirm compatibility of oils and components. The best path depends on the equipment and current rules, so consult a professional and verify what applies to you.
R-22 was the standard refrigerant in older equipment, but U.S. production and import were phased out at the start of 2020 under the Clean Air Act because it depletes the ozone layer. You can no longer buy newly made R-22; only recovered and reclaimed supply remains, and its price has climbed sharply. If a unit still runs R-22, keep it leak-free and start planning replacement, since servicing gets costlier over time. Handling still requires EPA certification, so use a certified technician.
You generally do not have to immediately stop using equipment that already holds an HFC like R-404A; existing systems can keep running and be serviced. What is changing is that new equipment must use lower-global-warming-potential refrigerants, and the supply of high-GWP refrigerants is being phased down, which raises their price over time. So the pressure builds gradually. Plan replacements around normal equipment life rather than panic-swapping. Rules and dates vary, so see refrigerant rules and compliance dates.
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 directs the EPA to phase down U.S. production and import of high-global-warming-potential HFC refrigerants, targeting an 85 percent reduction over roughly 15 years. For restaurants, the practical effects are rising prices for high-GWP refrigerants and rules steering new equipment toward lower-impact alternatives. It does not force you to scrap working equipment. The phasedown schedule and related equipment rules are set by EPA and evolve, so verify current requirements before major purchases.
Global warming potential (GWP) measures how much heat a refrigerant traps compared with carbon dioxide, which is set at 1. Common older refrigerants like R-404A have very high GWP (in the thousands), while natural refrigerants such as R-290 and CO2 are very low. It matters because federal rules are phasing down high-GWP refrigerants, so lower-GWP equipment is cheaper to service long-term and more future-proof. When buying new, ask for the refrigerant's GWP. Specific values vary by refrigerant, so check the data.
Increasingly, yes for new equipment. Under the AIM Act, EPA rules restrict high-GWP refrigerants in newly manufactured commercial refrigeration, setting maximum GWP limits for many equipment categories that phase in over the mid-2020s. Existing equipment is not banned and can keep operating. So a cooler you buy new must meet the limit, but your current box is fine to run. The exact GWP caps and effective dates vary by equipment type, so see refrigerant rules and compliance dates.
Yes. Under the Clean Air Act, only a technician holding EPA Section 608 certification may open a sealed system to recover, add, or handle refrigerant, and topping off a leaking system without repairing the leak is also improper. This is why refrigerant work is never a DIY job for kitchen staff. Hire a certified refrigeration technician who will find and fix the leak, then charge to the nameplate weight. See EPA 608 refrigerant rules for what certification covers.
EPA Section 608 is the federal certification required to service, maintain, or dispose of stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment that contains refrigerant. Technicians pass an exam and earn a certification type matching the equipment they work on. It ensures refrigerant is recovered rather than vented and handled correctly. Restaurants do not need it themselves, but any tech you hire for refrigeration work should hold it. Requirements are set by EPA, so confirm your technician is currently 608-certified before work begins.
Yes. Knowingly venting refrigerant into the atmosphere during service, maintenance, or disposal is illegal under the Clean Air Act, with limited exceptions for tiny amounts released despite proper practices. Refrigerant must be recovered with proper equipment by a certified technician. This is both an environmental rule and a reason DIY refrigerant work is prohibited. Violations can carry federal penalties. The specifics are enforced by EPA, so always use a certified technician who recovers refrigerant rather than releasing it.
Generally no for the refrigerants used in most commercial systems. EPA restricts the sale of many refrigerants to certified technicians, so you typically cannot just buy a cylinder over the counter without proof of Section 608 (or 609 for vehicles) certification. Some very small self-contained appliances and certain products have different rules. Because sales restrictions and exemptions vary and change, the practical answer is to have a certified technician supply and install refrigerant, and verify current EPA sales rules if unsure.
There is no single interval for every unit, but systems that keep losing refrigerant must be leak-checked and repaired, not just refilled. Larger appliances above a refrigerant-charge threshold fall under federal leak-repair and inspection rules, while smaller self-contained units mainly need attention when performance drops. Practically, any repeat loss of cooling warrants a professional leak check. Because thresholds and inspection requirements depend on charge size and current EPA rules, have a certified technician advise and verify what applies to your equipment.
Under EPA rules, appliances containing 50 pounds or more of refrigerant must have leaks repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds a set threshold, historically around 20 percent for commercial refrigeration, along with follow-up verification. Most single reach-ins hold far less and fall outside these thresholds, but walk-in and rack systems can trigger them. Records and timely repair are required for covered systems. Thresholds and details are set by EPA and can change, so verify the current requirements for your equipment.
For large systems that fall under the federal leak-repair rules (generally those with 50 or more pounds of refrigerant), you must keep service records documenting refrigerant added, leak rates, and repairs. Most standalone reach-ins do not hit that threshold, but walk-in racks and larger systems can, and good records help either way for warranty and maintenance. Your refrigeration contractor typically maintains these logs. Because recordkeeping rules depend on charge size and current EPA regulations, confirm what applies to your specific equipment.
If a unit keeps warming up or needs repeated refrigerant, suspect a leak and call a certified refrigeration technician; do not keep adding refrigerant, which is wasteful and improper. The tech will locate the leak with electronic detectors or dye, repair it, evacuate the system, and recharge to the nameplate weight. Meanwhile, move product to another cooler to protect food safety. For a step-by-step on a failing walk-in, see what to do when your walk-in cooler stops working.
Freon is a Chemours brand name that became a generic term for refrigerant, but the two are not identical. Refrigerant is the general category of heat-transfer fluids used in cooling; Freon refers to specific branded products, historically R-22 and R-12. When people say a fridge needs Freon, they mean it needs refrigerant, and the actual type is listed on the nameplate. Using the correct refrigerant matters, so always match the nameplate. Terminology varies, but the nameplate is authoritative.
Increasingly, yes. Many new self-contained commercial refrigerators, freezers, and merchandisers use natural refrigerant R-290 (propane), and larger supermarket-style systems use CO2 (R-744) or ammonia in industrial settings. These have very low global warming potential, which aligns with federal phasedown rules, and they are often efficient. The tradeoffs are flammability handling for R-290 and higher pressures for CO2. Availability depends on equipment type and manufacturer, so check the nameplate and confirm your service tech is trained for the refrigerant.
Walk-in coolers and freezers use a range of refrigerants depending on age and design: many run HFC blends such as R-404A or its replacements R-448A and R-449A, some older systems still hold R-22, and newer or larger installations may use CO2. The exact refrigerant is on the condensing-unit nameplate. Which one you have affects service cost and future compliance as high-GWP refrigerants are phased down. Because it varies by system and is changing, confirm the nameplate and consult your refrigeration contractor.
Sometimes, but it is a technician's decision, not a simple swap. Some systems can be retrofitted from a phased-out or high-GWP refrigerant to an approved replacement, but it may require changing the lubricant, expansion device, or other components, and not every refrigerant is compatible with a given system. A certified technician evaluates whether a retrofit is worthwhile versus replacing the unit. On older equipment, replacement is often more sensible. Compatibility varies by system and refrigerant, so verify with a professional first.
Refrigerant charge varies widely by equipment. A small self-contained reach-in or undercounter unit may hold only a few ounces to a couple of pounds, often just grams for R-290 units, while walk-in condensing units can hold several pounds or more, and large rack systems far more. The exact charge is printed on the nameplate and is what a technician weighs in after service. Never guess the charge; overcharging or undercharging harms the system. Amounts vary by model, so read the nameplate.
A sealed refrigeration system should not consume refrigerant, so repeated loss means a leak, commonly at brazed joints, Schrader valves, vibration-worn lines, or corroded coil bends. Each top-off without a repair wastes refrigerant, is improper, and is often illegal for uncertified handling. The fix is to have a certified technician find and repair the leak, then evacuate and recharge to the nameplate weight. Ignoring it risks a dead compressor. Leak locations vary, so professional diagnosis is the reliable path.
It depends on the refrigerant, the fault, and the unit's age. If a unit runs a phased-out refrigerant like R-22, a major sealed-system repair can be expensive because that refrigerant is scarce and costly, so replacement with a modern low-GWP unit often makes more sense. A minor, non-refrigerant fix may still be worth it. Weigh repair cost, remaining life, and rising service costs. Because it varies by unit, get a technician's assessment and compare against a new, more efficient replacement.
You cannot just toss a refrigerator in a dumpster. Federal rules require the refrigerant to be recovered by a certified technician before disposal, and many localities require documented recovery. Scrap dealers, appliance recyclers, and some utilities accept units and handle recovery, sometimes for a fee or rebate. Do not puncture the sealed system or let refrigerant vent, which is illegal. Because disposal requirements and available programs vary by area, check your local rules and use a recycler that certifies proper refrigerant recovery.
Mildly flammable A2L refrigerants and flammable A3 refrigerants like R-290 (propane) are being adopted in commercial refrigeration as high-GWP refrigerants phase down, and they are allowed in equipment specifically designed and listed for them, with charge limits and safety features. They are not something to add to equipment not built for them. When buying new, you will increasingly see A2L and A3 units, which need technicians trained for flammable refrigerants. Approvals and rules keep expanding, so verify current standards for your equipment.
Small self-contained appliances with very low refrigerant charges, like many undercounter units and merchandisers, generally fall outside the federal leak-repair and recordkeeping rules that target large systems, and R-290 units carry small sealed charges by design. That said, venting is still illegal for any equipment, and disposal still requires proper refrigerant recovery. So the big-system paperwork usually does not apply, but responsible handling does. Because exemptions depend on charge size and current EPA rules, verify what applies to your specific units.
Not immediately. The phasedown restricts new production and new equipment, so your existing coolers and freezers can keep running and be serviced; you are not required to rip out working equipment. Over time, refrigerant for older high-GWP or phased-out systems gets pricier, which naturally favors replacement at end of life. Plan swaps around normal equipment lifespan and rising service costs rather than a deadline. Because rules and timelines evolve, verify current requirements before assuming you must replace anything.
No. Handling refrigerant, opening the sealed system, or recharging requires EPA Section 608 certification, so untrained kitchen staff must not do it. Employees can and should handle the preventable basics that do not touch refrigerant: cleaning condenser coils, replacing door gaskets, keeping vents clear, and monitoring temperatures. Anything involving the refrigerant circuit goes to a certified technician. This keeps you compliant and protects the equipment. Because certification requirements are federal, always confirm your service tech is currently 608-certified.