What Is the HFC Phase-Down and How Will It Affect Café Equipment?

Those little refrigerant codes are part of a much bigger story happening across the world right now: the HFC phase-down. And even though it sounds like something straight out of an engineering textbook, it’s already shaping how cafés buy, repair and maintain their cold equipment.

But don’t worry – this isn’t a “panic now” situation. You’re not being asked to replace your entire cold line overnight. What is happening is a gradual, global shift away from older refrigerants (the HFCs) and toward cleaner, more efficient alternatives. And as someone who runs a café, the more you understand about this transition, the smoother and cheaper the road ahead becomes.

So let’s walk through it together – simply and clearly. Ready? Let’s start!

What Is the HFC Phase-Down? A Simple Guide for Café Operators

The HFC phase-down is a global effort to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – the refrigerants commonly used in commercial fridges, freezers, ice machines, and HVAC systems.

Why? Because many HFCs have extremely high Global Warming Potential (GWP). For context:

• The refrigerant R-404A has a GWP over 3,900, meaning it traps thousands of times more heat than CO₂. (EPA)

To address this, countries adopted the Kigali Amendment, which sets long-term targets for reducing HFC production and use worldwide.

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How this looks in the US:

Under the AIM Act (American Innovation and Manufacturing Act):

• The US will cut HFC use by 85% by 2036. (EPA)
  

And in the EU:

The EU F-gas Regulation 2024/573 goes even further:

• targeting full phase-out of virgin HFCs by 2050. (EU Summary)

This global push affects manufacturers, technicians, suppliers – and yes, café operators.

How to Check What Refrigerant Your Café Equipment Uses

Even small cafés often own multiple HFC-based systems, especially if equipment was purchased before 2021.

Common HFCs include:

• R-404A – very high GWP (common in older display freezers and merchandisers)
• R-134a – moderate GWP (common in undercounter units and beverage fridges)
• R-410A – used in many AC and heat pump systems

Where to look:

Every refrigeration unit has a nameplate label that lists:

• the refrigerant type (e.g., R-404A),
• the charge amount,
• and the model/serial number.
  

If you see R-404A, R-134a, or R-410A on that label, your unit is part of the older HFC generation.

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How the HFC Phase-Down Will Impact Your Refrigeration Equipment

Let’s break down what this actually means for day-to-day café operations.

1. Refrigerants will slowly get more expensive

As global production decreases, the supply of high-GWP HFCs shrinks. When supply shrinks, prices climb.
This is already happening with R-404A and R-410A refill costs.

2. Some older equipment may become harder to service

No, you’re not being forced to replace working equipment.
But:

• Refills may cost more
• Some parts may be discontinued
• Fewer technicians will specialize in legacy systems
• Lead times for certain repairs may grow
  

It’s not an emergency – it’s just something to plan for.

3. New equipment is changing fast

Manufacturers have already shifted toward low-GWP refrigerants. So if you’re adding a store, remodeling, or replacing old units, you’ll likely see equipment running on:

• R-290 (propane)
• R-600a (isobutane)
• CO₂ (R-744)
• Low-GWP HFO blends
  

And that’s actually a good thing – these refrigerants are more efficient and future-proof.

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What Refrigerants Will Replace R-404A and Other HFCs?

Here’s the simple version – the most common “next-gen” refrigerants café operators will see:

R-290 (Propane)

• GWP ~3 (super low)
• Excellent energy efficiency
• Already used in many new undercounter and display units (Hatco)

The only catch?
R-290 is A3 (flammable) – perfectly safe when installed by certified techs, but it does require training and compliance.

R-600a (Isobutane)

Very similar to R-290 but used in smaller appliances.

CO₂ (R-744)

• GWP = 1
• Wonderful long-term regulatory outlook
  (Copeland)
  

Watch-out: high-pressure systems → need specialized techs.

HFO and HFO–HFC Blends (R-449A, R-454C, etc)

These are “transitional” refrigerants.
They help reduce GWP without requiring brand-new system designs.‍

Good for retrofits.
Not as climate-friendly as naturals.
But often great stepping stones.

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Do I Need to Replace My Current HFC Equipment?

No – not immediately.

There is no rule saying you must replace working equipment that uses R-404A or R-134a.

But you should plan ahead because:

• refills will cost more,
• repairs may take longer,
• and new equipment options will not use HFCs.
  

The smartest operators create a 3–5 year transition plan instead of waiting for a breakdown.

How to Prepare Your Café for the Refrigerant Transition (Step-by-Step)

Here’s what a future-ready café looks like.

Step 1 – Create a refrigerant inventory

List every cold unit in your café:

• Refrigerant type
• Age
• Condition
• Leak history
• Energy usage (if available)
  
  

Moqa can store all this under each asset so nothing gets lost.

Step 2 – Identify “high-risk” units

Replace sooner if a unit is:

• older than 10 years
• running on R-404A
• leaking repeatedly
• burning lots of energy
• costing too much to repair
  

Run newer, efficient HFC systems to end-of-life.

Step 3 – Standardize your new equipment choices

If you’re multi-site, choose one or two refrigerant platforms (e.g., R-290 for merchandisers + CO₂ for bigger cold rooms).

This gives you:

• predictable service costs
• simpler training
• consistent parts
• smoother maintenance

Step 4 – Train your team and your techs

Ask technicians:

• Are you certified to work on R-290?
• Do you handle CO₂ systems?
• Are parts stocked locally?
  

This one step alone reduces downtime dramatically.

Step 5 – Track refrigerant use and leaks

Regulations increasingly require recordkeeping, and having a full maintenance history helps with:

• budgeting
• warranties
• compliance
• planning replacements
  

Again, Moqa can automate most of this.

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Relax, You’ve Got This!

The HFC phase-down can seem overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you understand what it is and how it affects your refrigeration equipment, the path becomes clear:

• Check what you have
• Prioritize replacements
• Choose low-GWP refrigerants
• Track maintenance
• Plan upgrades instead of reacting to emergencies
  

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Do that, and you’ll be ahead of regulations, ahead of costs, and ahead of stress.

And when Moqa helps you keep everything organized across all locations, this transition goes from intimidating … to totally doable. Ready when you are!

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Wanna see how Moqa fits into your operations? Book a free demo today, or contact us to know more! 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I still buy equipment that uses R-404A or R-134a?

It’s becoming harder. New models are transitioning rapidly.

What refrigerant should I choose moving forward?

R-290 for small and medium units.
CO₂ for bigger applications.
HFO blends for retrofits.

Are natural refrigerants safe?

Yes – when installed and serviced correctly. They’re heavily regulated.

Is this going to be expensive?

If you wait until equipment fails – yes.
If you plan ahead – surprisingly manageable.

Does this apply to independent cafés, not just chains?

Absolutely.

Will switching to low-GWP refrigerants save my café money?

Yes – in most cases.
Many newer refrigerants (like R-290 and CO₂) help equipment run more efficiently, which means lower energy bills over time. They also tend to produce less heat, reduce compressor strain, and require fewer emergency repairs. So even though the upfront cost might feel like an ouch moment, the long-term math usually works out in your favor.

Are flammable refrigerants like R-290 risky in a café environment?

They sound scary, but they’re actually very safe when installed and serviced correctly.
R-290 systems are built under strict UL and IEC safety standards, technicians must be trained to handle them, and charge sizes are kept intentionally small. Retailers like Aldi, Lidl, Walmart, and Starbucks already use these refrigerants at scale – safely – every day.

Can I retrofit my old fridge with a newer refrigerant?

Sometimes, yes – but not always.
Some HFO blends (like R-449A) are designed as “drop-in-ish” replacements for older R-404A systems, but retrofits still need:

• a full engineering check,
• compatible oil types,
• correct charge amounts, and
• technician certification.
  Retrofits can be a smart temporary move, but they’re not a magic forever-solution.

How do I know if my technician is qualified for the newer refrigerants?

Ask them directly. Seriously.
A good technician will have:

• R-290 handling certification,
• CO₂ system training,
• knowledge of local code,
• and recent experience working on low-GWP systems.

If they hesitate or dodge the question … consider it a bright red flag.

What should I budget for refrigerant-related changes over the next few years?

Think of it in three buckets:

1. Maintenance & leak repairs – these may slowly rise for HFC equipment.
2. New equipment purchases – especially for aging R-404A units.
3. Energy savings – low-GWP systems often cut your monthly utility bill.
   

You don’t need a massive one-time fund. A smart, staged plan over 3–5 years usually works beautifully.