New York Refrigerant Ban Could Disrupt Food Supply, HARDI Warns
Key Highlights
- The ban on virgin refrigerants R-404A and R-507A in New York could create a supply gap affecting over 18,000 refrigeration systems in grocery and convenience stores.
- Limited reclaimed refrigerant supply, averaging only about half of the projected needs, may lead to service delays and higher operating costs for retailers and contractors.
- Small and rural grocers are most vulnerable, facing increased costs and potential food availability issues due to service disruptions and refrigerant shortages.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new report from Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) warns that New York’s upcoming high-global warming potential refrigerant prohibition could disrupt food retail operations and strain service capacity for contractors.
The white paper examines the impact of New York’s regulation under 6 NYCRR Part 494, which will prohibit the sale of virgin R-404A and R-507A refrigerants beginning March 31, 2026. According to HARDI, the rule could create a significant gap between refrigerant supply and service demand.
The analysis estimates that approximately 18,130 refrigeration systems in grocery and convenience stores across New York rely on these refrigerants. Maintaining those systems requires about 1.16 million pounds of refrigerant annually. However, historical reclaimed refrigerant supply averages roughly 606,000 pounds per year nationwide, covering only about half of projected needs.
Under a moderate disruption scenario, HARDI projects a $106.2 million annual reduction in statewide economic output. The report links potential shortages to increased service delays, higher operating costs, and reduced system reliability.
According to HARDI, limited refrigerant availability could make routine maintenance and emergency repairs more difficult for contractors. Many retail refrigeration systems are designed to operate for 15 to 25 years, meaning a large installed base will remain dependent on legacy refrigerants during the transition period.
The report notes that impacts may be most significant for small and independent grocers, particularly in rural and low-income communities. In these areas, limited service access and rising costs could affect food availability and pricing.
HARDI also points to proposed legislation—Assembly Bill A.9596 and Senate Bill S.9066—which would replace the state-level prohibition with the federal refrigerant phasedown schedule. The organization states that aligning with federal timelines could help avoid supply disruptions and support a more gradual transition.
According to HARDI Vice President of Government Affairs Alex Ayers, restricting access to service refrigerants before adequate supply is available may create operational and economic challenges across the state.
Note: This piece was created with the help of generative AI tools and edited by our content team for clarity and accuracy.