Guide to the 2017 EPA Retail Food Refrigeration Regulations
2017 will be here before we know it, and with it, changing regulations for the retail food refrigeration industry that could potentially affect you.
The new regulations relate to which refrigerants are being phased out and which ones qualify to meet the new EPA guidelines.
All food retailers should click on the link below to see what the pending regulations are and what your new responsibilities entail. If you follow the four steps that are described, you will have a better understanding of what is changing and what you need to do to prepare.
Per the EPA: “Retail food refrigeration, or commercial refrigeration, includes equipment designed to store and display
chilled or frozen goods for commercial sale. This end-use includes the following categories of equipment: stand-alone
equipment, remote condensing units, and supermarket systems.
Zero Zone acknowledges that the 2017 EPA requirements can be difficult to understand and apply to store design
needs. In an effort to sort through all the possibilities, we offer this document which will help you narrow down the
available options. A methodical approach is recommended. Four critical steps of the process include:
- Determine if the system is a supermarket system (rack) or remote condensing unit.
- Identify the date it will become operational.
- Determine if it’s a new or a retrofit system.
- Apply EPA rules to the system design.
Since 1961, Zero Zone has been a leading manufacturer of high quality, energy-efficient refrigerated display cases
and commercial and industrial refrigeration systems. All of our display merchandisers are remote cases designed to
be connected to individual condensing units, rack systems, or top-mount, field-installed condensing unit kits (Hybrid™
Display Cases). The display case installation should conform to local codes including necessary permits for remote
installations. This document is designed for supermarket and related food retailers to help determine the best EPA
approved refrigerant to use to suite the retailer’s specific goals, based on comparisons of energy efficiency, GWP,
refrigerant costs. etc.
Learn more here: 2017 EPA Retail Food Refrigeration Regulations