A 900-pound centrifugal chiller uses R-245fa, an HFC. Do the 40 CFR 82.157 leak repair rules apply to it?

Leak repair requirements · EPA 608 Type III. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Allowable annual leak rates for low-pressure appliances.

The question

A 900-pound centrifugal chiller uses R-245fa, an HFC. Do the 40 CFR 82.157 leak repair rules apply to it?

• AYes; every low-pressure chiller holding over 50 pounds is covered by section 82.157
• BYes, but only if the chiller serves an industrial process
• CNo; it covers only ozone-depleting refrigerants, and HFCs fall under Part 84Correct answer
• DNo; low-pressure chillers are exempt from all leak repair rules

Why “No; it covers only ozone-depleting refrigerants, and HFCs fall under Part 84” is correct

Since 2020, 40 CFR 82.157 applies only to appliances with 50 pounds or more of an ozone-depleting (class I or II) refrigerant, such as R-11 or R-123. A chiller like this, with 15 pounds or more of an HFC like R-245fa, is covered instead by the separate leak repair rule in 40 CFR 84.106.

Source: 40 CFR 82.157(a); 40 CFR 84.106

Why the other answers are wrong

• Yes; every low-pressure chiller holding over 50 pounds is covered by section 82.157 — 82.157 applies only to appliances with 50 pounds or more of a class I or class II refrigerant.
• Yes, but only if the chiller serves an industrial process — The use of the chiller does not bring an HFC appliance under 82.157.
• No; low-pressure chillers are exempt from all leak repair rules — HFC appliances of 15 pounds or more, other than residential and light commercial air conditioning, have their own leak repair rules under 40 CFR Part 84.

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