On September 26th, united state EPA finalized two rules the will alleviate the projected growth and also emissions the HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), a class of chemicals that includes the cell phone air air conditioning refrigerant R-134a, generally used in countless automobiles and also light trucks, hefty duty trucks and also off-road equipment. MACS an initial reported about this upcoming rule readjust earlier in 2016, and as expected it’s now end up being final.

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The rule applicable come mobile A/C affects ar 608 of the Clean waiting Act, i beg your pardon extends the ODS (Ozone depleting Substance) sales restriction to HFCs and other non-exempt substitutes, through the exception of little cans containing two pounds or less of (primarily) HFC-134a for servicing motor auto air conditioners. These tiny cans can proceed to be sold without technician certification so lengthy as the small cans have a self-sealing valve to alleviate refrigerant leakage. It additionally applies to various other non-ozone depleting substitutes such as R-1234yf, the brand-new HFO that’s quickly becoming the replacement of choice for car and light truck manufacturers approximately the world due to its lower GWP (global warming potential).

“These two rules demonstrate the joined States’ ongoing leadership in protecting public health and the environment,” stated EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “We are reducing emissions the HFCs that space harmful come the climate system and also showing the people that we deserve to do this responsibly and also thoughtfully by working with businesses and environmental groups. I’m specifically excited the we have actually taken these actions ahead of next month’s Montreal Protocol negotiations.”

Most that the EPA rules and also regulations that use to technicians working in the mobile wait conditioning industry come from ar 609 the the united state Clean Air action of 1990, however there are various other sections of that Act that affect our job-related in the shop every day. One in particular is ar 608, which although generally thought to influence only HVAC/R technicians (those who occupational on commercial, industrial and also residential A/C units, refrigerators and also freezers), likewise applies come the mobile A/C community because it consists of the mass of EPAs “refrigerant management program.”


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Beginning ~ above January 1, 2022 technicians will need to show their section 609 Certification card if they want to purchase mobile A/C refrigerants, consisting of R-12, R-134a and also R-1234yf.

So what do these alters mean come mobile A/C technicians, shops and shop owners? probably the best is that technicians will should be certified under ar 609 with a program choose MACS if they are going to purchase refrigerant. Before this rulemaking, a MACS certification was only forced for purchases of CFC refrigerants like R-12, but on January 1, 2018, you’ll additionally need one if you desire to buy R-134a or the brand-new HFO refrigerant, R-1234yf.

The other adjust that’s comes to mobile A/C is walking to impact the customer side more so than the experienced technician, and also that’s v those little cans that refrigerant sold by auto parts stores and other big box retailers. As lengthy as those cans contain less than 2 pounds of refrigerant, it will certainly be legal to acquisition them there is no a ar 609 credential, but they’ll still require a self-sealing valve. This is something brand-new to technicians and car owners in most of the US, however not in California. The golden State has been using self-sealing cans due to the fact that 2010 when CARB (the California Air resources Board) first required your use. Based on the NPD Automotive Aftermarket sector Monitor, 2008, around 14 million little cans are offered each year.


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With the exception of California, little cans that refrigerant are sold without self-sealing valves in the US. This brand-new EPA rule changes that, inquiry the usage of self-sealing cans throughout the country. It no take effect until January 1, 2018, however we suppose to view the brand-new cans in stores by next summer (2017).

More information about these and also other EPA rules and also regulations can be found on their www.epa.gov website.

Visit the MACS website www.macsw.org whereby you deserve to learn how to become certified through MACS under ar 609 that the us Clean wait Act. If you’re there, you deserve to download a copy that the MACS research manual.


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Keeping in touch v MACS keeps girlfriend in touch with the human being of mobile A/C! If you a mobile A/C technician or shop owner and also you’re not yet a MACS member, what are you waiting for? Visit ours website www.macsw.org for an ext information and also to sign up with MACS and become a member today!

If she a service professional and also not a MACS member yet, you have to be!

Become a member and also receive a monthly technical newsletter with info like what you’ve just read in this blog short article visit http://bit.ly/10zvMYg for much more information.

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Mobile A/C professionals should arrangement to to visit MACS 2017 cultivate Event and Trade Show, February 15-18 in ~ the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA.