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US As of January 1, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted significant regulations under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. These refrigerant rules are specific to the United States and aim to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and improve refrigerant management across industries. For businesses operating in the U.S., from retail and grocery to commercial real estate, these changes require immediate attention to ensure compliance.
For our global partners and clients, it’s important to note that these regulations apply only within the United States. However, these regulations are more than just guidelines—they represent a transformative shift in how refrigerant-containing appliances are managed, serviced, and maintained.
For building owners, managed service contractors, and sustainability managers, these changes mean adjusting processes to stay compliant while striving for operational efficiency and sustainability. Here’s what you need to know about these new rules and how Bueno Analytics can help you navigate this evolving landscape.
Key US EPA Refrigerant Rules & Regulations Effective January 1, 2025
The EPA’s new rules under the AIM Act are designed to address the environmental impact of refrigerants and promote the use of advanced technologies to reduce emissions. Here is a summary of the new elements that apply to appliances within the U.S:
1. Appliances Covered by the Regulations
- Refrigerant Type: The regulations apply to systems using HFCs or their substitutes with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) greater than 53, such as R-410A and R-134a. The range applies to 18 refrigerants; two of the most predominant are 410, 404a and 134a.
- Refrigerant Charge Size: Appliances with a minimum charge of 15 pounds fall under these requirements, covering medium-to-large commercial refrigeration and HVAC systems typically used in U.S. retail, grocery, and industrial applications. This applies in 2026.
2. Mandatory Leak Detection and Repairs
- Automatic Leak Detection (ALD): ALD systems must be installed in certain appliances to monitor for refrigerant leaks continuously. This helps meet compliance deadlines and reduces the risk of unaddressed leaks. (the attached sheet shows the affected equipment) and also the requirement to provide the conditions for installing and then offsetting.
- Leak Inspections: Regular leak inspections are mandatory for appliances meeting the refrigerant charge threshold or exceeding the EPA’s leak rate limits. The frequency of the leak inspections varies by equipment size
- 30% for industrial refrigeration.
- 20% for commercial refrigeration.
- 10% for comfort cooling systems.
3. Reclaimed Refrigerants (Effective January 1, 2026)
- Refrigerants recovered from stationary equipment cannot be sold or transferred in the U.S. unless they are properly reclaimed to meet EPA purity standards. This ensures responsible recycling and reuse. The major rule in this section goes into effect in 2029.
4. Labelling and Tagging for Mobile Systems
- Mobile systems, such as transport refrigeration units, buses, and rental chillers, must be tagged and labeled in line with EPA guidelines to ensure compliance across various applications. Labeling was part of the technology transition and the effected areas and equipment vary by the year starting in 2025, with primarily mobile equipment like trucks and trains.
What Do These Regulations Mean
If your business relies on refrigeration or HVAC systems using refrigerants like R-410A or R-134a, these new U.S. EPA regulations are directly relevant to you. They apply to appliances containing at least 15 pounds of refrigerant, covering most commercial refrigeration systems, large HVAC units, and industrial cooling equipment. Key requirements include installing Automatic Leak Detection (ALD) systems for continuous monitoring and conducting regular leak inspections. Allowable leak rates are tightly regulated, with limits set at 30% for industrial refrigeration, 20% for commercial refrigeration, and 10% for comfort cooling systems. Staying compliant means addressing leaks promptly to avoid penalties and reduce environmental impact.
Who Should Pay Attention
Building owners, facility managers, managed service contractors, and sustainability leaders in sectors such as retail, grocery, and transportation need to take note. Businesses operating in the U.S. with refrigerant-heavy equipment must also prepare for upcoming rules on reclaimed refrigerants, effective January 1, 2026, ensuring that recovered refrigerants are purified before reuse. Additionally, if your operations include mobile refrigeration systems, tagging and labelling under EPA guidelines is now mandatory. Adapting to these changes not only keeps your business compliant but also provides an opportunity to enhance sustainability practices and streamline refrigeration management with technologies like Bueno’s advanced predictive analytics.
Why These Changes Matter
For businesses operating in the U.S., the EPA’s refrigerant regulations have significant implications:
- Increased focus on operational processes to meet regulatory requirements.
- Investments in automatic leak detection systems and proactive maintenance strategies.
- Adjustments to refrigerant procurement practices to align with reclamation standards.
- Comprehensive recordkeeping to demonstrate compliance during audits.
Non-compliance could lead to penalties and reputational risks. Businesses that proactively adopt these regulations, however, can position themselves as leaders in sustainability and operational excellence.
Are You Ready for Refrigerant Management Success?
When it comes to managing refrigeration systems, it’s essential to ask yourself the right questions to ensure compliance, efficiency, and sustainability:
Are you actively monitoring your refrigeration equipment? The EPA’s new regulations mean it’s more critical than ever to have real-time insights into refrigerant usage and system performance. Manual checks or outdated systems may no longer meet the requirements or provide the necessary data for compliance and optimization.
If you rely on a service provider, have you asked if they’re ready? Confirming whether your service provider is prepared to meet these regulations is vital. Are they equipped to handle new requirements like Automatic Leak Detection (ALD) systems and EPA-compliant reporting? The readiness of your partners directly impacts your ability to comply.
Is your reporting adequate for regulatory compliance? The EPA mandates robust recordkeeping and reporting to track refrigerant use, leaks, and repairs. Does your current reporting system provide enough clarity, detail, and accuracy to meet these standards?
At Bueno Analytics, we don’t just help clients meet these challenges—we help them excel. We partner with service providers to enhance their capabilities, integrating seamlessly with existing workflows to deliver unparalleled insights and efficiency. Our advanced analytics and predictive maintenance solutions have been proven globally to reduce refrigerant leaks by over 30%, setting a benchmark in refrigeration management.
Why the U.S. EPA Regulations Reflect Global Trends
Although the new U.S. EPA refrigerant regulations apply solely within the United States, they align with broader international efforts to improve refrigerant management and mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Around the world, governments and industries are recognising the urgent need to reduce the use of high-GWP refrigerants and address refrigerant leaks that have severe environmental consequences, including the depletion of the ozone layer and acceleration of climate change. The U.S. regulations are part of a growing movement that businesses globally must embrace to drive meaningful progress.
The US leads in the scope, size, and impact – but what users have shown in the word search category is how does it affect them directly.
For businesses in the U.S., it’s critical to view these regulations not as a compliance burden but as an opportunity to lead by example in a global initiative. The principles behind these rules—reducing refrigerant leaks, improving energy efficiency, and phasing down harmful refrigerants—are being adopted in varying forms by countries worldwide. By overachieving these standards and prioritising sustainable refrigerant management practices, businesses can set themselves apart as leaders in innovation and environmental stewardship.
Global success in combating refrigerant-related emissions depends on every business doing its part. Beyond meeting minimum compliance, businesses should aim higher, adopting advanced technologies and optimised workflows to minimise refrigerant leaks and prevent unnecessary emissions. Refrigerant leaks, in particular, are highly dangerous due to their disproportionate impact on the ozone and global warming. For example, HFCs can be thousands of times more potent than CO₂ in trapping heat. Addressing these leaks proactively isn’t just a regulatory necessity; it’s a moral and environmental imperative.
How Bueno Helps Partners and Clients Succeed
At Bueno Analytics, we focus on empowering both our clients and partners to achieve exceptional results in refrigerant management, compliance, and sustainability. For partners like managed service providers and contractors, we offer tools and insights that elevate their capabilities, allowing them to deliver superior outcomes for their customers. For clients in industries such as retail, grocery, and commercial real estate, we provide tailored solutions that optimise performance, ensure regulatory compliance, and create lasting value.
Our innovative platform enables clients to address challenges like refrigerant leaks and inefficiencies at their core. By combining predictive analytics, real-time monitoring, and actionable insights, Bueno delivers tangible benefits across portfolios while reducing environmental impact. Proven globally, Bueno has helped clients reduce refrigerant leaks by over 37%, improving operational efficiency and achieving sustainability goals. We call this BARLO – Bueno Advanced Refrigerant Leak Optimisation.
Traditional leak detection methods fall short in addressing the critical issue of refrigerant leaks efficiently. Reactive maintenance, high costs, and prolonged downtime plague the industry. It’s time for a proactive approach that leverages real-time data and predictive analytics to minimize product loss and prevent critical failures.
Key Features of BARLO Bueno Advanced Refrigerant Leak Optimisation
Predictive Refrigerant Leak Detection
Bueno’s advanced AI and machine learning (ML) tools identify refrigerant leaks before they occur, enabling proactive interventions. With real-time data processed every 5 minutes, clients reduce downtime and costly repairs while staying ahead of EPA compliance requirements.
Integration with Automatic Leak Detection (ALD) Systems
Our platform enhances the performance of ALD systems, providing a centralised view of refrigerant data and pinpointing even minor leaks early. This integration helps clients prevent significant refrigerant loss and ensures seamless compliance with EPA mandates.
Proactive Maintenance Strategies
Predictive analytics transforms maintenance from reactive to proactive, extending the lifespan of refrigeration equipment and reducing unplanned breakdowns. Bueno empowers clients to meet EPA-mandated leak detection thresholds while optimising equipment performance.
Simplified Compliance Reporting
Bueno’s intuitive dashboards and reporting tools are designed specifically to align with U.S. EPA regulations. Clients can efficiently track refrigerant usage, document leak repairs, and demonstrate compliance with minimal administrative effort.
Scalable, Customisable Solutions
From single facilities to extensive portfolios, our cloud-based platform scales to meet diverse client needs. With seamless integration into existing workflows, Bueno ensures standardised and effective refrigeration management across all locations.
Built-In Sustainability Tools
Bueno’s platform reduces refrigerant waste and enhances energy efficiency, helping clients achieve their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. These tools empower businesses to align with best practices while addressing local and global sustainability initiatives.
How BARLO works:
How Bueno Supports Partners & Clients
We understand that service providers, contractors, and managed partners are critical to implementing effective refrigeration management solutions. Bueno Analytics focuses on enabling our partners to enhance their services and meet client expectations with precision and innovation.
Proven Client Success
Bueno’s platform has reduced refrigerant leaks for clients by over 37% globally. Partners can confidently leverage these proven results to strengthen their client relationships and establish trust.
Enhanced Service Delivery
Bueno integrates seamlessly into partner workflows, equipping service providers with actionable insights and predictive analytics. This allows them to proactively address refrigerant issues, ensuring minimal downtime for their clients.
Compliance Expertise
Partners can rely on Bueno’s advanced compliance reporting and data-driven insights to help their clients stay aligned with stringent EPA regulations. By simplifying compliance management, Bueno enables partners to deliver value-added services.
Strengthening Client Relationships
Partners using Bueno’s solutions can provide measurable results such as reduced refrigerant leaks and improved energy efficiency. This strengthens their reputation, builds trust with their clients, and positions them as leaders in sustainable refrigerant management.
Boosting Operational Efficiency
Bueno’s predictive maintenance capabilities allow partners to optimise their operations, reducing time spent on reactive repairs and focusing instead on delivering proactive, cost-effective solutions.
By partnering with Bueno, service providers can elevate their offerings, exceed client expectations, and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of refrigeration management.
A Competitive Advantage for All
Whether you are a service provider or a client, Bueno Analytics empowers you to achieve far more than compliance. For businesses in retail, grocery, and commercial real estate, Bueno’s solutions reduce costs, strengthen ESG outcomes, and establish competitive differentiation in sustainability. For partners, Bueno provides the tools needed to deliver superior performance, ensuring long-term success for their clients.
Let Bueno Analytics help you lead in compliance, operational excellence, and sustainability. Proven by real-world results, Bueno’s platform drives meaningful reductions in refrigerant leaks and empowers you to achieve your goals. Contact us today to learn more about how our solutions can transform your refrigeration management strategy.
Preparing for the Future of Refrigerant Management
With U.S. EPA regulations now in effect and further requirements (such as reclaimed refrigerant usage) on the horizon for January 1, 2026, the time to act is now. Whether you’re a U.S.-based building owner, contractor, or sustainability manager, Bueno Analytics provides the tools you need to navigate these changes and thrive in the evolving regulatory landscape.
Our Team of Refrigeration Experts are Here to Help
Our solutions go beyond compliance. We equipe businesses to excel in refrigerant management and lead in sustainability. To learn more about how Bueno Analytics can support your U.S. operations and help you meet EPA regulations, contact our team today.
