EPA approves R471A and R515B for retail refrigeration
9th September 2023
USA: Lower GWP HFC/HFO blend refrigerants R471A and R515B have been added to the US EPA’s list of acceptable substitutes under its Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP).
The two refrigerants have been approved for use in specific applications in new equipment only.
R471A has been approved as a substitute for use in retail food refrigeration (stand-alone, food processing and dispensing, remote condensing units and supermarket systems), industrial process refrigeration and cold storage warehouses.
An A1 refrigerant with a GWP of 144, R471A blends the HFOs R1234ze(E) and R1336mzz(E) (78.7% and 17%, respectively) with 4.3% of the fire suppressant HFC227ea.
R515B has also been approved as a substitute for use in retail food refrigeration (food processing and dispensing equipment, remote condensing units, and supermarket systems), commercial ice machines and cold storage warehouses.
A non-flammable A1 alternative to R134a and R1234ze(E) with a GWP of 287, R515B is a blend of R1234ze (91.1%) and R227ea (8.9%). It is said to have zero glide and low discharge temperatures with an efficiency to match R134a.
R515B is marketed by Honeywell as Solstice N15 and was previously approved by the EPA for use in centrifugal and positive displacement chillers and industrial process air conditioning (new equipment).
