Refrigerants are changing fast under the EPA's AIM Act, which is phasing down high-GWP (global-warming-potential) HFCs. Here's what that means when you buy a commercial fridge or freezer. Rules are in flux as of 2026 — confirm the current status.
New self-contained commercial refrigeration has been limited to refrigerants with a GWP of 150 or less (effective Jan 1, 2025), which is why R-290 is now everywhere. In 2025 the EPA proposed reconsidering parts of that rule for remote/supermarket systems, so the thresholds may shift — buy for efficiency and serviceability, and confirm the current rule for your equipment class.