What is SB 1206?
In September 2022, California State legislature adopted Senate Bill (SB) 1206, which is meant to lower the number of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) emitted by stationary refrigerants, air-conditioning, and other end uses. This was put in place because many HFC gases and bulk blends release very potent greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Keep reading this blog to learn more about when California SB 1206 becomes active and what this law means for the future of refrigeration.
What are Hydrofluorocarbons?
HFCs are synthetic gases designed for cooling and refrigeration. These gases have been commercially used since the 1990s as an alternative cooling resource that does not damage the ozone layer. In addition to stationary refrigeration and air conditioning, these gases can be used for the following purposes:
- Aerosol
- Foam agents
- Mobile air conditioning
- Unitary air conditioning
- Fire extinguishers & solvents
While HFCs are widely applicable gases that have some environmentally friendly qualities, they have other issues that have caused SB 1206 to be put in place.
Why are HFCs Being Phased Out?
Hydrofluorocarbons are high global warning potential (GWP) refrigerants, which means they have a strong, negative effect on global warming. For context, the most abundant HFCs can warm the planet almost 4,000 times more than an equivalent amount of CO2 over a 20-year period. After just 35 years of usage, they represent about 2% of the total greenhouse gases in the atmosphere today.
Some recent rulings, such as the Kigali Amendment, have been put in place to destroy hydrofluorocarbons and enforce tighter requirements on these gases. This is where we begin to discuss the importance of California SB 1206 on HFC usage.
What is California SB 1206?
SB 1206 will require future purchases of Hydrofluorocarbon gases to be within specified GWP limits. This is not to say that these gases are going to be removed outright; however, many of these HFCs offer wide temperature ranges and low power usage at the cost of high GWP. Below are the restrictions that future HFCs must abide by.
- Less than 2,200 GWP starting 1/1/2025
- This GWP level refers to R-404A and R-507, which are mainly used in refrigeration systems.
- Less than 750 GWP starting 1/1/2033
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This GWP level refers to R-410A, which is used most in air conditioning systems.
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- Less than 1,500 GWP starting 1/1/2030
- This GWP level refers to R-448A and R-134A, which are common refrigerants commonly used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Although HFCs are commonly used in refrigerants, there are alternatives that can be used in their place. Here are a few examples of alternative refrigerants that will likely replace bulk HFCs as they get phased out.
- Natural refrigerants
- HFCs with lower GWP, such as R32
- Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)
- HFC-HFO blends
How ATEC Can Help
ATEC rents chillers from leading manufacturers such as Julabo and PolyScience that are California SB 1206 compliant. Some of these chillers are even able to match the cooling capabilities of equipment that uses high GWP gases. Examples of these chillers include:
Julabo Valegro 350 – Natural refrigerant
- Offers a temperature range of -20°C… 40°C
- Julabo Valegro 500 – Natural refrigerant
- Offers a temperature range of -20°C… 40°C
- PolyScience DuraChill CA – R513A refrigerant (573GWP)
- Offers a temperature range of -10°C… 70°C