The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a warning to air conditioning technicians of potential safety hazards related to the use of propane or other unapproved refrigerants in home air conditioning systems.
EPA is currently investigating instances where propane has been marketed and used as a substitute for HCFC-22 (r-22), a refrigerant that is widely used in air conditioning systems.
There has also been concern about the increased use of flammable refrigerants in Australia which led to a safety summit being held at Parliament House earlier this year.
Refrigerants Australia executive director Steve Anderson said the continued marketing of highly flammable refrigerants as drop-in replacements in equipment not designed for their use is of great concern.
He said most systems are not designed to handle flammable refrigerants and the use of these substances can pose a potential fire or explosion hazard for service technicians.
In a statement, the EPA said it has commenced an investigation and will be taking enforcement action.
The EPA said other names for these unapproved refrigerants include R-290, 22a, 22-A, R-22a, HC-22a and CARE 40.
At this time, the EPA has not approved the use of propane refrigerant or other hydrocarbon refrigerants in any type of air conditioner.
However, the EPA has approved the use of propane in industrial process refrigeration systems and new, stand-alone retail food refrigerators and freezers that are specifically designed to use flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants.
R-22 is being phased out of production under the Montreal protocol.
