EPA Refrigerant Leak Rate Calculator
.epa-calculator-container {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 20px auto;
padding: 30px;
background: #f8f9fa;
border: 1px solid #e9ecef;
border-radius: 8px;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
}
.epa-calculator-container h2 {
text-align: center;
color: #2c3e50;
margin-bottom: 25px;
}
.epa-calc-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.epa-calc-grid {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}
.epa-input-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.epa-input-group label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 8px;
font-weight: 600;
color: #495057;
}
.epa-input-group input, .epa-input-group select {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ced4da;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.epa-input-group small {
display: block;
margin-top: 5px;
color: #6c757d;
font-size: 0.85em;
}
.epa-btn-container {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
text-align: center;
margin-top: 20px;
}
.epa-calc-btn {
background-color: #007bff;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 12px 30px;
font-size: 18px;
border-radius: 5px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.2s;
}
.epa-calc-btn:hover {
background-color: #0056b3;
}
#epaResult {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
margin-top: 20px;
display: none;
background: #ffffff;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 5px;
border-left: 5px solid #007bff;
box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.epa-result-value {
font-size: 28px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.epa-compliance-pass {
color: #28a745;
font-weight: bold;
}
.epa-compliance-fail {
color: #dc3545;
font-weight: bold;
}
.epa-content-section {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 40px auto;
font-family: inherit;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
}
.epa-content-section h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 30px;
}
.epa-content-section h3 {
color: #495057;
margin-top: 20px;
}
.epa-content-section ul {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.epa-content-section li {
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.epa-table {
width: 100%;
border-collapse: collapse;
margin: 20px 0;
}
.epa-table th, .epa-table td {
border: 1px solid #dee2e6;
padding: 12px;
text-align: left;
}
.epa-table th {
background-color: #e9ecef;
}
function toggleDaysInput() {
var method = document.getElementById("calcMethod").value;
var daysGroup = document.getElementById("daysGroup");
var addedLabel = document.getElementById("addedLabel");
if (method === "annualizing") {
daysGroup.style.display = "block";
addedLabel.innerText = "Refrigerant Added (lbs)";
} else {
daysGroup.style.display = "none";
addedLabel.innerText = "Refrigerant Added Over Past 365 Days (lbs)";
}
}
function calculateLeakRate() {
// Inputs
var fullCharge = parseFloat(document.getElementById("fullCharge").value);
var amountAdded = parseFloat(document.getElementById("amountAdded").value);
var method = document.getElementById("calcMethod").value;
var applianceType = document.getElementById("applianceType").value;
// Validation
if (isNaN(fullCharge) || fullCharge <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Total System Charge greater than 0.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(amountAdded) || amountAdded < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid amount for Refrigerant Added.");
return;
}
var leakRate = 0;
// Calculation Logic based on EPA Methods
if (method === "annualizing") {
var daysSince = parseFloat(document.getElementById("daysSince").value);
if (isNaN(daysSince) || daysSince 0).");
return;
}
// Formula: (Lbs Added / Full Charge) * (365 / Days Since) * 100
leakRate = (amountAdded / fullCharge) * (365 / daysSince) * 100;
} else {
// Rolling Average Method
// Formula: (Lbs Added over 365 days / Full Charge) * 100
leakRate = (amountAdded / fullCharge) * 100;
}
// Determine Thresholds based on Appliance Type (current EPA Regs)
var threshold = 0;
var typeName = "";
if (applianceType === "ipr") {
threshold = 30;
typeName = "Industrial Process Refrigeration";
} else if (applianceType === "commercial") {
threshold = 20;
typeName = "Commercial Refrigeration";
} else if (applianceType === "comfort") {
threshold = 10;
typeName = "Comfort Cooling / Other";
}
// Format Result
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("epaResult");
var statusHtml = "";
if (leakRate > threshold) {
resultDiv.style.borderLeftColor = "#dc3545"; // Red
statusHtml = "
THRESHOLD EXCEEDED Repair is mandatory within 30 days.";
} else {
resultDiv.style.borderLeftColor = "#28a745"; // Green
statusHtml = "
COMPLIANT Leak rate is within acceptable limits.";
}
resultDiv.style.display = "block";
resultDiv.innerHTML = `
Calculated Leak Rate:
${leakRate.toFixed(2)}%
Appliance Type: ${typeName}
Allowable Threshold: ${threshold}%
Status: ${statusHtml}
`;
}
EPA Section 608 Leak Rate Calculator
Calculation Method
Annualizing Method (Standard)
Rolling Average Method
Select the method used to track your leak rate.
Appliance Type
Industrial Process Refrigeration (IPR)
Commercial Refrigeration
Comfort Cooling / Other
Total System Charge (lbs)
Refrigerant Added (lbs)
Days Since Last Addition
Days between the last refrigerant addition and this one.
Calculate Leak Rate
Understanding EPA Refrigerant Leak Rate Calculations
Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, the EPA mandates that owners and operators of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment containing 50 or more pounds of ozone-depleting refrigerant must calculate the leak rate every time refrigerant is added. If the leak rate exceeds specific thresholds, repairs must be made within required timeframes (typically 30 days).
Approved Calculation Methods
The EPA approves two primary methods for calculating the leak rate. This calculator supports both:
Annualizing Method: This method projects the current leak rate over a full year. It takes the amount of refrigerant added now, compares it to the time elapsed since the last addition, and extrapolates that rate to 365 days.Rolling Average Method: This method looks backward. It calculates the total amount of refrigerant added over the past 365 days (including the current addition) divided by the full charge.
Leak Rate Thresholds
Compliance depends on the type of appliance. If your calculated leak rate exceeds the percentages below, you must repair, retrofit, or retire the appliance:
Appliance Type
Trigger Leak Rate
Industrial Process Refrigeration (IPR)
30%
Commercial Refrigeration
20%
Comfort Cooling (Office AC, Residential)
10%
How the Math Works
The Annualizing Formula: (Lbs of Refrigerant Added / Full Charge in Lbs) × (365 / Days Since Last Addition) × 100%
The Rolling Average Formula: (Lbs of Refrigerant Added in Past 365 Days / Full Charge in Lbs) × 100%
Note: This tool is for informational purposes to assist HVAC technicians and facility managers with compliance estimates. Always refer to the latest official EPA documentation for legal compliance requirements.