Substitutes in Rigid Polyurethane: Appliance
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.Substitutes are reviewed on the basis of environmental and health risks, including factors such as ozone depletion potential, global warming potential, toxicity, flammability, and exposure potential. Lists of acceptableacceptableThis designation means that a substitute may be used, without restriction, to replace the relevant ODS within the end-use specified. For example, HCFC-22 is an acceptable substitute for R-502 in industrial process refrigeration. Note that all SNAP determinations apply to the use of a specific product as a substitute for a specific ODS in a specific end-use. and unacceptable
UnacceptableThis designation means that it is illegal to use a product as a substitute for an ODS in a specific end-use. For example, HCFC-141b is an unacceptable substitute for CFC-11 in building chillers. Note that all SNAP determinations apply to the use of a specific product as a substitute for a specific ODS in a specific end-use. substitutes are updated several times each year. The list of acceptable substitutes are shown below.
Note: SNAP-related information published in the Federal Register takes precedence over all information on this page.
Substitute | ODP![]() |
GWP![]() |
SNAP Listing Date | Comments[2] | Flammable |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carbon Dioxide | 0 | 1 | March 18, 1994; June 8, 1999 |
no | |
HFO-1234ze | 0 | 6 | September 30, 2009 | no | |
HFO–1336mzz(Z) ((Z)-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene; FEA-1100; Formacel® 1100) |
0 | 9 | October 21, 2014 | no | |
HCFC-123 | 0.02 | 77 | March 18, 1994 | no | |
HFC-152a | 0 | 124 | March 18, 1994; June 8, 1999 |
yes | |
HCFC-124 | 0.022 | 609 | July 22, 2002 | Unacceptable Substitute; Alternatives exist with lower or zero ODP. |
no |
HCFC-141b | 0.12 | 725 | September 30, 2004; July 20, 2015 |
Unacceptable Substitute; Alternatives exist with lower or zero ODP. |
no |
HFC-365mfc | 0 | 794 | September 30, 2009; June 16, 2010; July 20, 2015; December 1, 2016 |
HFC-365mfc and blends thereof acceptable subject to narrowed use limits for military or space- and aeronautics-related applications and unacceptable for all other uses as of January 1, 2020. Unacceptable for military applications as of January 1, 2022 and for space- and aeronautics-related applications as of January 1, 2025. | yes |
HFC-245fa | 0 | 1,030 | December 6, 1999; August 21, 2003; July 20, 2015; December 1, 2016 |
HFC-245fa and blends thereof acceptable subject to narrowed use limits for military or space- and aeronautics-related applications and unacceptable for all other uses as of January 1, 2020. Unacceptable for military applications as of January 1, 2022 and for space- and aeronautics-related applications as of January 1, 2025. | no |
HFC-134a | 0 | 1,430 | March 18, 1994; June 8, 1999; July 20, 2015; December 1, 2016 |
HFC-134a and blends thereof acceptable subject to narrowed use limits for military or space- and aeronautics-related applications and unacceptable for all other uses as of January 1, 2020. Unacceptable for military applications as of January 1, 2022 and for space- and aeronautics-related applications as of January 1, 2025. | no |
Methylal (dimethoxymethane) | 0 | <3 | October 21, 2014 | yes | |
Formacel® TI | 0 | 1,330 - 1,500 | September 30, 2009; July 20, 2015; December 1, 2016 |
Acceptable subject to narrowed use limits for military or space- and aeronautics-related applications and unacceptable for all other uses as of January 1, 2020. Unacceptable for military applications as of January 1, 2022 and for space- and aeronautics-related applications as of January 1, 2025. | no |
Saturated Light Hydrocarbons (C3-C6) | 0 | 3 - 10 | March 18, 1994; April 11, 2000; June 16, 2010 |
yes | |
Formacel® Z-6 | 0 | 370 - 1,290 | August 10, 2012; July 20, 2015; December 1, 2016 |
Acceptable subject to narrowed use limits for military or space- and aeronautics-related applications and unacceptable for all other uses as of January 1, 2020. Unacceptable for military applications as of January 1, 2022 and for space- and aeronautics-related applications as of January 1, 2025. | N/A |
Trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene (SolsticeTM 1233zd(E)) | 0.00024 - 0.00034 | 4.7 - 7 | August 10, 2012 | no | |
Methyl Formate | 0 | 5 or less | December 18, 2000 | yes | |
EcomateTM | 0 | 5 or less | August 21, 2003 | yes | |
TranscendTM Technologies | 0 | 5 or less | March 29, 2006 | Acceptable as an additive to SNAP-approved blowing agents in blends making up to 5% by weight of the total foam formulation. | yes [1] |
Exxsol Blowing Agents | 0 | 5 or less | December 6, 1999; June 16, 2010 |
yes | |
Formic Acid | 0 | 5 or less | September 5, 1996 | yes [3] | |
HCFC-141b/HCFC-123 Blends | >0 | N/A | July 20, 2015 | Unacceptable as of September 18, 2015. | no |
Electroset Technology | 0 | N/A | August 26, 1994; June 16, 2010 |
N/A | |
Water | 0 | N/A | June 8, 1999 | no | |
Vacuum Panels | 0 | N/A | January 13, 1995; June 19, 2000 |
N/A | |
Blends of HFC-245fa and HCFC-22 | >0 | N/A | August 21, 2003; July 20, 2015 |
Unacceptable as of September 18, 2015. | no |
HCFC-22, HCFC-142b or blends thereof | >0 | N/A | July 22, 2002; July 20, 2015 |
Unacceptable Substitute; Alternatives exist with lower or zero ODP. |
no |
1 When blended with fire retardant and/or other SNAP-approved alternatives, the flammability of TranscendTM Technologies can be reduced to make a formulation that is either combustible or non-flammable (contact the manufacturer of TranscendTM Technologies for more information).
2 Use of closed cell foam products and products that contain closed cell foam manufactured with an unacceptable foam blowing agent prohibited on or before the later of: 1) December 1, 2017, or 2) the date when the foam blowing agent is unacceptable.
3 Formic acid is mildly flammable with flashpoint of 68.9°C (156°F), lower flammability limit of 18.0% by volume, and NFPA flammability rating of 2.