Climate-smart, energy efficient refrigeration units funded by CDFA’s Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program are expected to provide emissions savings equivalent to the electricity use of 605 homes per year, or 2,815 tons of carbon dioxide. This impact is outlined in a new Emissions Impact Study by Effecterra, one of program’s technical assistance providers.

Program Impact

The main goal of Healthy Refrigeration Grants was to improve food access in areas where refrigerated produce displays containing healthy food are historically hard to find. The program achieved this through funding refrigeration units in corner stores, small businesses and food donation programs in low-income or low-access areas throughout the state to stock fresh produce, nuts, dairy, meats, eggs, minimally processed and culturally appropriate foods sourced from local California farmers and ranchers.

Another primary goal was to incentivize and require the use of the most climate-friendly and energy efficient refrigeration options available to limit climate impacts. All equipment funded by the program is required to use refrigerants with the lowest available Global Warming Potential (GWP), a value indicating the amount of global warming a substance may cause. The program also requires the use of doors or night shades to improve energy efficiency.

In 2023, the Healthy Refrigeration Grants Program awarded $9 million to fund 577 refrigeration units across California. More than 90 percent of grant-funded equipment utilizes R-290, a low-GWP refrigerant, and the primary driver of the emissions savings.

The study estimates that additional emissions savings will occur through encouraging the stocking of locally-grown produce in the units. Local food reduces emissions through smaller transportation distances.

Harm of Traditional Refrigerants

The use of traditional refrigerants in refrigeration equipment has been identified as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Refrigerants with a high GWP make up the most used class of traditional refrigerants.

According to the California Air Resources Board, traditional refrigerants account for 4-5% of greenhouse gas emissions in California today. The leakage of one 30 lb. tank of R-404A, a high GWP refrigerant, is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted by driving 14 passenger cars each year. Refrigeration systems can hold thousands of pounds of refrigerants and leak at the rate of 20 percent or more per year.

HRGP-Funded Refrigeration Resources

The management, replacement and proper disposal of high-GWP refrigerants has been identified as a significant way to address climate change. The Healthy Refrigeration Grants Program worked with Effecterra to create resources for proper refrigeration maintenance, including a Retail Refrigeration Guide addressing common issues, best practices for temperature monitoring, equipment maintenance schedules and refrigerant regulations.

For tips about healthy retail and refrigeration, guidance for proper refrigeration recycling, lists of pre-vetted low-GWP equipment and other helpful resource, visit https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/hrgp.html.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.