What's New List Serve Post Display

For an informational video go here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/videos/diy_refrigerant.mp4 
 

Release #:11-35
Date:08/15/2011

ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990
CONTACT:

Dimitri Stanich
916-322-2825

dstanich@arb.ca.gov






New design for auto A/C recharging canisters

Will reduce releases of powerful greenhouse gas

SACRAMENTO - This summer do-it-yourself auto mechanics who want
to recharge their car’s air conditioning will find a redesigned
self-sealing canister of refrigerant that is sold with a $10
deposit, refunded when the empty can is returned.

For an informational video go here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/videos/diy_refrigerant.mp4 .

The new can and deposit program are the result of regulations
adopted by the Air Resources Board in January 2009, designed to
reduce the emissions of the refrigerant used to recharge vehicle
air-conditioning systems. Known as 134a, this chemical is 1300
times more effective at trapping atmospheric heat than carbon
dioxide.  Just 23 ounces of 134a has the global warming potential
of one ton of carbon dioxide, roughly equivalent to the emissions
from a car driven from Los Angeles to New York.

“This is a practical and cost-effective solution,” said Air
Resources Board Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “No longer will
partially spent canisters be tossed into the garbage allowing the
remaining refrigerant to leak into the atmosphere as a powerful
greenhouse gas. Now, that gas will be safely captured, and the
can itself will be recycled.”

Consumers purchasing the new canisters will be given instructions
about the new program and how to recharge their car’s air
conditioning. The $10 deposit will be refunded within 90 days
upon return of the used canister with the original receipt.  

ARB staff worked closely with manufactures and distributors to
develop the regulation, including a pilot project that created
roll-out strategies and determined the amount of the deposit.

The regulation is part of the state’s effort to quickly reduce
climate-changing emissions as required by AB 32, California’s
Global Warming Solutions Act.

The program which will eliminate the equivalent of over 250,000
metric tons of carbon-dioxide emissions per year at a cost of
about $1 per can is part of the state’s effort to  reduce
climate-changing emissions as required by AB 32.

The reductions are achieved through:

    * Better canister technology – a self-sealing valve will
prevent loss of remaining unused gas;
    * Improved instructions for using the product;
    * A deposit-and-recycling program to recover refrigerant
remaining in a used canister; and,
    * A manufacturer-developed consumer education program for
recharging an air conditioner.


For an informational video go here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/videos/diy_refrigerant.mp4 .

For more information go here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/hfc-mac/hfcdiy/hfcdiy.htm .

ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare,
and ecological resources through effective reduction of air
pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the
economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in
California to attain and maintain health based air quality
standards.

Office of Communications 1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814. Ph:
(916) 322-2990