EPA approves HFC-32 refrigerant for use in residential AC units

HFC-32 (R-32), a chlorine-free, single-component refrigerant, has received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in home air conditioning. The approval comes as part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan and is a result of the EPA’s Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP), which identifies and approves additional climate-friendly chemicals.

The HFC-32 (R-32) refrigerant is contained in an estimated eight million units in Japan. It will be approved for use in equipment such as package-terminal air conditioners, window-room air conditioners and portable air conditioners that meet the requirements of UL Standard 484 and the use conditions of the EPA SNAP approval.