The HVAC industry's fight with EPA over refrigerant policy is accelerating.

AHRI has asked the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to speed up its legal challenge to EPA's May changes to the federal Technology Transitions rule. 

The association has proposed oral arguments as early as December.

EPA Delayed Part of the Refrigerant Transition

EPA's updated rule extended the timeline for some supermarket systems and remote condensing units to move toward very low-GWP refrigerants.

The final limits that had been scheduled for 2026 or 2027 were pushed back to 2032, with an interim 1,400 GWP limitestablished. 

EPA says that gives businesses more flexibility and lowers costs.

AHRI sees it very differently.

Manufacturers Say They Already Spent the Money

Equipment manufacturers had already invested heavily to meet the original regulatory timeline.

According to AHRI, changing the schedule after those investments were made can leave companies managing:

  • Duplicate product lines
  • Dual inventories
  • Additional certification
  • Retraining
  • Reworked manufacturing plans

AHRI says those costs could ultimately reach customers. 

There Is Also a Refrigerant-Supply Problem

The broader concern goes beyond commercial refrigeration.

The AIM Act is simultaneously reducing overall HFC production and consumption through an allowance system.

AHRI, ACCA, HARDI and PHCC argue that allowing higher-GWP equipment to remain in the market longer while HFC supply continues shrinking could put upward pressure on refrigerant prices. 

That could eventually reach residential service contractors as well.

Several Lawsuits Are Now Moving Together

AHRI is not alone.

ACCA, HARDI and PHCC filed another challenge.

A coalition of 18 states, Washington, D.C., and New York City has also sued.

Five cases have now been consolidated. 

That makes this one of the most consequential refrigerant legal battles currently facing HVACR.

The industry's refrigerant transition was already expensive. Now manufacturers and regulators are fighting in federal court over whether changing the timetable makes it even more expensive.