Three States Join California in Raising Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Costs

Maryland, New York, and Connecticut are following California’s lead in proposing restrictions on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the class of refrigerants widely used in home and car air conditioners as well as the refrigeration equipment in millions of small businesses like restaurants and convenience stores. State legislators and governors are doing so on the grounds that HFCs contribute to global warming. 

Joining them in support of this effort are Honeywell and Chemours, both of which have patented a number of substitute refrigerants that sell for considerably more than the HFCs they would replace. There is no indication that proponents of these measures have taken a serious look at the price tag or attempted to educate impacted homeowners, car owners, and small business owners of the significant hike in air-conditioning and refrigeration costs likely to result.