Commercial refrigeration is changing, and restaurant and foodservice operators are starting to see those changes in the equipment available on the market. Federal regulations under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act are reducing the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and restricting certain higher-impact refrigerants in new refrigeration and HVAC equipment and systems.
That does not mean every walk-in cooler, reach-in refrigerator or other existing refrigeration system needs to be replaced. The transition is primarily forward-looking, but understanding what is changing can help operators make better decisions when equipment needs service or eventually reaches the end of its useful life.
Why Are Refrigerants Changing?
HFCs are a group of refrigerants commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning. Many HFCs have a high Global Warming Potential, or GWP, which is a measure of a greenhouse gas's climate impact relative to carbon dioxide.
Under the AIM Act, the United States is phasing down HFC production and consumption by 85% from historical baseline levels by 2036. EPA's Technology Transitions Program also restricts the use of certain higher-GWP HFCs in specific types of new refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump products and systems.
The details are not the same for every piece of equipment. Compliance dates and refrigerant limits vary by equipment type, application and other factors. EPA also revised certain Technology Transitions requirements in May 2026, which is another reason operators should avoid treating the transition as one universal deadline.
Do Existing Refrigeration Systems Need to Be Replaced?
No. The EPA states that its Technology Transitions rules do not require owners to stop using existing refrigeration or air conditioning systems simply because they use a higher-GWP refrigerant. Existing systems can continue to be used and repaired throughout their useful life, and components can continue to be available for servicing legacy equipment, subject to applicable requirements.
For foodservice operators, that distinction matters. A regulatory change affecting new equipment does not automatically turn an operating walk-in cooler or reach-in refrigerator into obsolete equipment.
What Should Foodservice Operators Pay Attention To?
As refrigeration technology changes, it becomes increasingly useful to know what refrigerant your current equipment uses. That information can help provide context when evaluating service needs and planning for future replacement.
When new equipment is needed, refrigerant type is becoming another factor to consider alongside capacity, efficiency, application and long-term serviceability. New commercial refrigeration equipment is increasingly using refrigerants with lower environmental impact as manufacturers adapt to changing federal requirements.
Operators do not need to become refrigerant experts. They do need service partners who understand both legacy systems and the newer equipment entering commercial kitchens.
ATECH Can Help You Navigate the Transition
ATECH's factory-trained, CFESA-certified refrigeration technicians service commercial refrigeration equipment throughout Tennessee. Our team can help identify the refrigerant used in existing equipment, diagnose refrigeration problems and provide the technical information operators need when deciding whether to repair or replace a system.
Refrigerant regulations will continue to shape the commercial refrigeration industry, but the right decision will still depend on the equipment in front of you. Understanding what you have, how it is performing and what options are available can help you plan for the transition without replacing equipment unnecessarily.
Have questions about your commercial refrigeration equipment? Contact ATECH for commercial refrigeration service and Planned Maintenance throughout Tennessee.
Source note: Technical and regulatory details verified against current U.S. EPA AIM Act and HFC Technology Transitions guidance, including EPA's May 26, 2026 final rule revisions.











Share On: