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New York Just Banned Your Refrigerant. The Rest of the Country Is Next.

Rimasee Corp. — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:19:04 +0000

New York Just Banned Your Refrigerant. The Rest of the Country Is Next. | RIMASEE Blog

Regulatory Alert

New York Just Banned
Your Refrigerant.
The Rest of the Country Is Next.

By Ronald R. Seepersaud · CEO, RIMASEE LLC · April 9, 2026 · 6 min read

6 NYCRR Part 494 is now in full effect. R-404A and R-507A sales are banned in New York State. The federal AIM Act is phasing down HFC production nationwide. Here is what every food retailer, supermarket operator, and convenience store chain needs to know — and why the time to act is now, not later.

What Just Happened in New York State

In January 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation formally amended its Hydrofluorocarbon Standards and Reporting regulation — officially known as 6 NYCRR Part 494. The rules took full effect throughout 2025 and 2026, and they represent the most aggressive HFC phasedown legislation enacted by any U.S. state to date.

The core impact for food retail operators is straightforward: the era of R-404A and R-507A is over in New York. And if you operate outside New York today, it is coming for you too — just on a slightly longer timeline.

The law in plain language

Bulk virgin R-404A and R-507A sales are now banned in New York State. Only reclaimed product may be used to service existing refrigeration equipment. All new commercial refrigeration systems with 50+ lbs of refrigerant must use low-GWP alternatives with a GWP20 below 580. By 2034, all new systems must use refrigerants with a GWP20 below 10. The New York Supreme Court upheld this regulation in January 2026 — it is permanent.

The Key Deadlines You Cannot Miss

Regulation	What It Requires	Effective Date	Status
NY Part 494 — Bulk Sales Ban	No virgin R-404A or R-507A sold in New York	March 31, 2026	IN EFFECT
NY Part 494 — New Systems	New supermarket systems 50+ lbs must use GWP20 < 580	January 1, 2026	IN EFFECT
Federal AIM Act — Leak Repair	Mandatory leak repair for all HFC systems 15+ lbs — all 50 states	January 1, 2026	IN EFFECT NATIONWIDE
NY Part 494 — Full Phasedown	All new systems must use refrigerants with GWP20 < 10	January 1, 2034	COMING
Federal AIM Act — Reclaimed HFC Mandate	Supermarket servicing must use reclaimed HFC refrigerants	January 1, 2029	COMING NATIONWIDE

This Is Not Just a New York Problem

It would be tempting to read this as a regional issue — something affecting only operators in New York State. That framing would be a costly mistake.

The federal American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act mandates an 85% phasedown of HFC production and consumption nationwide over 15 years. The supply of high-GWP refrigerants like R-404A is being permanently constrained across all 50 states. The practical result is already visible in the market: R-404A prices have risen 40–70% since 2022, and the trajectory will only steepen as production allowances tighten further.

States with independent HFC laws

New York — Part 494 (strictest)
California — CARB regulations
Colorado — HFC phasedown rules
Washington State — independent regulations

What this means nationally

R-404A supply is shrinking permanently
Reclaimed product prices will spike
New installations must be compliant now
Leak detection is federally mandatory

Why Food Retailers Are Most Exposed

Commercial refrigeration in food retail has historically been dominated by R-404A and R-507A — both high-GWP refrigerants that are now directly in the crosshairs of Part 494 and the AIM Act. Supermarkets, grocery chains, convenience stores, delis, and cold storage operators face a uniquely complex transition because their refrigeration systems are large, capital-intensive, and deeply integrated into store operations.

⚠️ Important: The regulation does not require replacing existing equipment before the end of its useful life. However, any new system installed in New York must be compliant today. And as reclaimed refrigerant supply tightens, maintaining aging R-404A systems will become progressively more expensive and unreliable — nationwide.

The supply cliff is already visible

R-404A, once the cheapest workhorse of commercial refrigeration, is being phased out of production. Operators who are leaking at 15–20% annually are not just losing money today — they are drawing down a supply pool that will not be replenished. When their systems need refrigerant in 2029 or 2031, the documentation of what they had, what they used, and what they lost will determine whether they can even get reclaimed supply allocated to their needs.

New installations must be compliant now

If you are building a new store in New York, renovating an existing location, or replacing a failed system, your refrigeration specification must meet Part 494 requirements immediately. There is no grace period for new installations — only for existing equipment that is being serviced. Planning a new store on legacy R-404A specifications is not just a compliance risk; it is a stranded asset risk.

What Compliant Equipment Looks Like

Part 494 and the AIM Act both push toward natural refrigerants and low-GWP alternatives such as CO2 (R-744), hydrocarbons (R-290 propane), and HFO blends. These technologies are mature, proven in commercial food retail environments globally, and available today — including through RIMASEE’s full commercial refrigeration lineup.

The benefits beyond compliance

Transitioning to low-GWP equipment is not just about avoiding regulatory penalties. Modern natural refrigerant systems deliver measurable operational benefits that directly impact your bottom line:

Lower energy consumption — CO2 transcritical systems and hydrocarbon-based display cases consistently outperform legacy HFC equipment on energy efficiency, particularly in cold climates.
Reduced maintenance costs — lower refrigerant pricing volatility and simpler refrigerant management reduce the ongoing cost of system maintenance.
Future-proofed capital investment — equipment specified to GWP20 < 580 today will also meet the 2034 threshold for many store formats, extending asset life and delaying the next replacement cycle.
ESG and sustainability reporting — major food retail chains face increasing investor and regulatory pressure to reduce their Scope 1 refrigerant emissions. Compliant equipment delivers direct, auditable progress against these targets.

How RIMASEE Helps You Navigate the Transition

RIMASEE supplies state-of-the-art commercial refrigeration equipment using low-GWP natural refrigerants — fully compliant with Part 494 today and engineered to meet the 2034 mandate. Our HydraLoop water-loop system eliminates the traditional machine room entirely, dramatically simplifying installation and reducing capital cost.

We work directly with food retailers, supermarket operators, convenience store chains, and restaurant groups to size the right compliant solution for each store format — with $0 installation cost and $0 shipping fees, and factory-direct pricing with no middlemen or distributor markups.

Our equipment is already installed across Europe and Latin America in deployments ranging from independent specialty grocers to national supermarket chains. We bring that same proven technology to the U.S. market at a moment when the regulatory and supply environment has made the transition not just sensible — but urgent.

The bottom line

Waiting is no longer a neutral choice. Every month you delay planning your transition is a month in which reclaimed R-404A supply tightens further, compliant equipment lead times grow, and installation windows in your stores become harder to schedule. The operators who move now will have the equipment, the contractors, and the pricing advantage. The ones who wait will be competing for scarce resources in a market that will only get tighter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this regulation require me to replace existing equipment?

No — Part 494 does not require replacing equipment before the end of its useful life. However, any new installation in New York must comply with GWP requirements immediately. And as reclaimed refrigerant supply tightens, maintaining legacy R-404A systems will become increasingly costly.

I operate outside New York. Does this affect me?

The federal AIM Act applies in all 50 states. Mandatory leak repair requirements for systems with 15+ lbs of HFC refrigerant have been in effect since January 1, 2026, nationwide. California, Colorado, and Washington State have also enacted independent HFC regulations. The phasedown is a national trend — New York is simply furthest ahead.

What refrigerants are compliant?

For new supermarket systems with 50+ lbs of refrigerant in New York, the refrigerant must have a GWP20 below 580. Compliant options include CO2 (R-744, GWP20 = 1), R-290 propane (GWP20 = 3), and several HFO-based blends. RIMASEE equipment is specified with these compliant refrigerants as standard.

What is the $0 installation offer?

RIMASEE provides professional installation at no additional charge, along with $0 shipping on all orders. This is part of our direct-to-retailer model that eliminates distributor markups and delivers the full cost of transition transparency from day one. Contact us for a site-specific consultation and quote.

Ready to plan your compliance upgrade?

Whether you’re in New York facing today’s mandate or anywhere in the US preparing for what’s coming — RIMASEE will size the right compliant solution for your stores with zero installation cost and zero shipping fees.

Request a Free Compliance Consultation

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The Difference in Pricing & Service

Rimasee Corp. — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:47:58 +0000

The Price Gauging is Over

We are thrilled to announce that the era of price gouging is over! Our company is here to help you save thousands of dollars on top-notch equipment without compromising on quality. Unlike some competitors, we do not lower our standards to achieve this.

Our components are of the highest standard and are not manufactured in China or Taiwan.

We pride ourselves on delivering products that stand out, all while maintaining logical pricing and exceptional service for our customers. We’ve had enough of overpriced, subpar equipment from companies like Hussmann and Hillphoenix, who fail to explain the pros and cons of their products.

Our mission is to make your business more profitable, not to empty your pockets. If you’re a corporate entity looking for reliable, high-quality equipment at fair prices, we want to do business with you!

Contact us today and let’s work together to enhance your business’s success

Get a Quote

Our mission is to make your business more profitable, not to empty your pockets.

If you’re a corporate entity looking for reliable, high-quality equipment at fair prices, we want to do business with you!

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Here are 6 ways you can improve energy efficiency in commercial refrigeration with RIMACOLD

Rimasee Corp. — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 23:13:36 +0000

Amid a potential global energy crisis that may significantly impact the economy, the environment, and people’s well-being worldwide, RIMACOLD a Rimasee Corp. brand wants to encourage its clients and partners to contribute to energy conservation.

As a refrigerated equipment designer and distributor, RIMACOLD knows how indispensable such equipment is for supermarkets. Yet, according to a study on energy management by the EHI Retail Institute, refrigeration equipment also accounts for a huge 48% share of supermarkets’ energy consumption.

However, refrigeration systems can be an easy and effective place to start saving energy in grocery retail – since even minor improvements can drastically boost overall energy efficiency.

RIMACOLD aims to help retailers not just reduce their energy bills but also avoid possible energy shortages. Now RIMACOLD offers several tips that can significantly impact a store’s energy consumption and help avoid an energy crisis.

Basis: 34 food retail chains, more than 27,000 stores, approx. 35 million sqm selling space Energy Management in Retail 2020 Source: EHI

As a supplier that worries about the optimization of your retail stores here are some suggestions to consider for improving energy efficiency

Switch to environmentally friendly propane gas (R290) refrigerant. Our Go Green R290 refrigeration equipment, which operates with natural, non-toxic R290 refrigerant, can help supermarkets save up to 30% on energy compared to HFC systems.
Invest in energy-effective cooling solutions like RIMACOLD’s Hydroloop Hybrid system. Refrigeration equipment operating on a Hydroloop Hybrid system use up to 30% less energy than traditional cooling systems. And with a Hydroloop Glycol or Hydroloop Hybrid system, excess heat can be reused to warm store premises and water – a huge gain towards becoming even more energy efficient.
Use Dual Air Curtains and night curtains on the refrigeration equipment. RIMACOLD’s most popular multideck HUDSON comes with Dual Air Curtains installed by default, minimizing temperature differences inside the equipment for energy savings of up to 20%. Additionally placing night curtains over open refrigerated display cases during a store’s non-working hours can yield even bigger energy savings.
Pick commercial refrigeration equipment with glass doors or lids. Doors reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain the right temperature inside. Refrigerators with glass lids or doors can save up to 75% of the energy used by open cabinets.
Go with LED lighting and energy-saving fans, which are standard on RIMACOLD refrigeration equipment. RIMACOLD uses energy-saving electronically commutated fans, which are up to 30% more efficient than traditional AC fans. LED lighting, meanwhile, not only improves product visibility but, more importantly, consumes less energy and induces less heat, resulting in less electricity used to keep products at the right temperature. Of course, the most basic way to raise energy efficiency is to always turn lighting off during non-business hours.
A great planning process for your supermarket or grocery store is a must, this will help optimize not only space but also air flow. At Rimasee Corp we offer this service to our customers at many times free of costs. Many times, we noticed that a lot of our customers ask us for extra tall and depth in our merchandisers when it is not necessary. Less sometimes means more.

Today it is more than necessary than ever for supermarkets to rethink their commercial refrigeration energy usage and start taking action to save energy. Even simple steps, like turning off lighting when a store is closed and using night curtains on open refrigeration displays, can significantly improve energy efficiency. Now is the time to invest in energy-efficient cooling solutions, and Rimasee Corp. is always ready to help to achieve energy conservation goals.

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Keeping Your Business and Customers Safer With a Grab-N-Go

Rimasee Corp. — Mon, 11 May 2020 17:05:00 +0000

The entire food industry has forever changed due to a virus that struck our society in a way it hasn’t been seen in over a century. Thus, this has affected the way we live our lives and especially the way we conduct business. RIMASEE being a company that specializes in the development and distribution of commercial food equipment has a priority of not only finding better and more effective ways to display and or process food products but to also maximize space and help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and of any other type of virus that can be spread through surfaces, making food retailers a better and safer place for consumers to get their favorite products.

In an effort to determine which refrigerated equipment models are better suited for cases like Covid-19 a computer simulation was made and the results confirmed a theory we had and with an outstanding margin difference of over 85%, we were able to determine that air curtain refrigerated display cases or Grab-N-Go display cases decrease the spread ratio of a virus like Covid-19 within a food retailer store, making them the safer option for retailers like convenience stores and mini markets which count on reduced space when compared to larger closed retailer stores like supermarkets. The explanation of this result is quite simple, air curtain refrigerated display cases have no doors, so when consumers find the product that they want, there is no reason for them to open any door preventing the spread of the virus if in any case they do have it on their hands or if its already on the door handle of the refrigerated case.

RIMASEE carries several refrigerated open-air curtain merchandisers or as we like to call them Grab-N-Go display cases which not only helps increase sells and reduce the spread ratio of Covid-19 inside your food store but also come with their many advantages such as:

Ensured Mobility: 4 swivel wheels with brakes for quick and easy installation on your sales area. (Optional)
Optimal Visibility of products
Integrated LED Lighting
Fits conveniently near the check-outs and favours impulse buying
Low power consumption
Reduced height: accessibility is easier for children

So, don’t hesitate to ask us about our Grab-N-Go equipment, we have the perfect model for you. Visit our online shop and if you need help with financing let us know and we will gladly help you out.

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GRAB – N – GO Customers’ Convenience

Rimasee Corp. — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 23:11:57 +0000

Consumers now a days tend to look for convenience and practicality and food retailers must deliver on this demand which, is why GRAB – N – GOs or open merchandisers are increasingly becoming more popular making them a trend in the food retail business. Over the years GRAB – N – GOs have become an essential piece of equipment to have in your food business, whether it’s a supermarket, C-Store, bakery shop or minimarket, GRAB – N -GOs have proven to be convenient and practical for consumers and an efficient piece equipment that help vendors increase sales of their displayed products up to even 50%. Therefore, at Rimasee Commercial Equipment Corp we tell our customers to take advantage of the trend by merchandising a mix of products beyond your normal menu and offer customers a convenient way to help themselves with our well-designed GRAB – N – GOs.

These GRAB – N – GOs can be placed on front end caps or anywhere else for that matter. Both horizontal and higher-capacity vertical versions are usually available. The main advantage to GRAB – N GOs or open merchandisers cases is the quick access to freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, beverages or even hot foods now that we have a HOT GRAB – N – GO that will allow you to sell more hot prepared meals to customers. All our GRAB – N – GOs will have retractable night curtains to hold in cold air during off hours to save energy as well as LED canopy lighting for optimum product illumination and lower energy usage.

When equipment placement makes sense the customers´ experience becomes convenient and practical. Manage traffic flow with ease thanks to these suggestions:

Place beverage coolers in places where they won’t disrupt traffic flow. That means avoiding busy spots where customers are already waiting in line for something else.
Stay prepared. Plan to keep backup refrigeration close to upright refrigerated air screen coolers and keep items pre-chilled to make sure the food that goes into upright, open air refrigerator models stays fresh, safe and at the right temperature.
Grab customers’ appeal with eye-catching design. Try implementing shaped or curved merchandising units to mix up classic C-store design.

Location is critical to performance in other ways, too. The air-screen that keeps cold air inside the GRAB – N – GO from escaping into the surrounding environment can be easily disturbed if you’re not careful about where you put these cases.

Think of it like the effluent plume on your hood. Anything that interferes with capture and containment will make the hood less efficient (and affects other systems like HVAC). Follow the 5, 10, 15 rule to make sure air flow in your operation won’t interfere with the efficiency of the GRAB – N – GO.

Locate cases at least 5 ft. away from exterior windows. Direct sunlight increases the heat load on the case, making the compressor work harder. Windows that open, of course, can let in breezes that will disturb the air curtain.

Make sure cases are at least 10 ft. away from HVAC vents, for the same reason you avoid putting four-way ceiling vents in front of the hood canopy—air blowing toward the front of the case will disturb the air curtain. If the case has a glass front, air from the HVAC vent might cause condensation on the glass.

Finally, locate open display cases at least 15 ft. from exterior doors to prevent drafts from interfering with the air-screen and letting warm air into the case.

So, to sum up let’s look at some of the advantages of having a GRAB – N -GO:

Products are more visually appealing
Sales from open cases are typically 50% higher – and in some cases – as much as four times more
Customers can take the products they want quickly and easily
Lines are limited – more than one customer can take an item at the same time

Do not keep yourself from improving your customers’ experience and in improving your sales, it’s time for you to get your GRAB – N – GO from Rimasee Corp!

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Easy2Go

Rimasee Corp. — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 22:36:23 +0000

Product Information

Easy2Go: the promo refrigerated display, sales accelerator! Why didn’t we think of this before?

Composed of 5 pieces, the refrigerated display is assembled and disassembled in 2 minutes without tools or adhesives.
Personalize it completely and slide it in strategic places all around your sales area, thanks to its small size: 0,47x 0.46m!
An adjustable and stable temperature drops to 0 + 4 ° C
Extremely reliable, the Easy2Go can accommodate most sensitive products.
Create your sales operations with ease with the Easy2Go

Transport: 100% easier

Removable, the small size of the Easy2Go makes it possible to transport it in all types of vehicles including in the trunk of your car. Your sales staff will be able to carry the Easy2Go with them at any time.

Install: As soon as you say

A small place available in store, the Easy2Go is mounted without tools or adhesive. In the blink of an eye, it’s in stores.

Customize: stand out becomes child’s play.

A 100% customizable POS: form, led, pop-up, colors, hangings … An in-store dramatization easy and efficient thanks to an integrated lighting and a customizable covering that leaves your imagination free. Let yourself be carried away by your creativity.

Optimize your sales area by communicating

Dress the Easy2Go in your operations colors! Decorating your communication space on a refrigeration multideck aims to convey a brand image to your products and make a unique experience to your customers. With many communication options offered by the Easy2Go, optimize your sales area and store offers.

Disassemble in 2 minutes without tools

Consists of 5 parts, the Easy2Go is assembled and disassembled easily in 2 minutes watch in hand, without tools or adhesives. Unmountable, the small footprint of the Easy2Go allows also carrying it in all types of vehicles including in the trunk of your car. Your sale steam can take the Easy2Go with them anytime.

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Our Brand Rimacold

Rimasee Corp. — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 14:08:21 +0000

RIMACOLD is our commercial refrigeration brand, we carry from bakery display cases to open wall cases and PVC cold rooms. Everything in the RIMACOLD line is manufactured entirely in Europe with high quality materials such as stainless steel 304 and high-quality components that are compliant with ETL standards. RIMACOLD products are divided in the following categories:

Display Cases:
- Gelato Display Cases
- Bakery Display Cases
- Open Display Cases
- Seafood Display Cases
- Meat Display Cases
- Deli Display Cases

Merchandisers:
- Easy2Go
- Open Wall Cases
- Closed Wall Cases
- Grab-N-Go

Islands:
- 4 Door Islands
- 2 Door Islands
- Open Islands

Everything is possible with RIMACOLD each line of products fits right into the environment, always exploring new horizons of development, boldly marking in an imaginary and magical manner the passage to a new way of operating in the field of professional quick food preparation. Only by taking advantage of a consolidated know-how and a great farsightedness is it possible to gain access to the new reality rendered wonderful by technology, performance and top quality design and thereby surrender to the temptation of fully experiencing the new era in professional food industry products featuring design flair.

Short video of our product line.

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