EPA 608 Leak Repair Rules: 15 lb Threshold Explained

By Yevhen Kovalchuk · Updated August 27, 2026 · 8 min read

Short answer

Since January 1, 2026, EPA's AIM Act refrigerant management rule requires owners and operators of appliances holding 15 pounds or more of an HFC or HFC substitute with GWP above 53 to repair leaks once the annual leak rate passes a threshold, typically 10, 20 or 30 percent depending on the sector. Older Section 608 leak repair rules for ozone-depleting refrigerants still apply at 50 pounds. Records are required. Check the current rule text for exact deadlines.

Two federal leak repair regimes now exist. The long-standing Section 608 rules cover ozone-depleting refrigerants such as R-22 in appliances with 50 pounds or more. Since January 1, 2026, a newer rule under the AIM Act, in 40 CFR Part 84, adds leak repair for HFCs and HFC substitutes with a global warming potential (GWP) above 53 in appliances holding 15 pounds or more. If your facility has a chiller, rack or large refrigeration system, you are probably covered. This article explains the main points, with the caveat that the rule text and EPA fact sheets are the authority.

Which appliances are covered by the 15-pound rule?

The AIM Act refrigerant management requirements apply to appliances that:

contain 15 pounds or more of refrigerant (the full charge, not just what has leaked);
use an HFC or a substitute for an HFC with a GWP greater than 53; and
are not in an exempt subsector.

EPA’s materials state that residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pumps are exempt from the leak repair requirements. That subsector generally covers equipment such as small split systems and packaged units, so a typical rooftop unit may be treated differently from a chiller. Because the boundary depends on definitions in the rule, confirm how your equipment is classified before assuming an exemption.

The requirements fall on the owner or operator of the appliance, and certified technicians who service it have their own duties. EPA’s January 2026 fact sheet on leak repair is the best starting point, and it states it is informational rather than a substitute for the regulation.

What is the difference between the 50-pound and 15-pound rules?

Item	Older Section 608 rule	AIM Act ER&R rule (40 CFR Part 84)
Refrigerants	Ozone-depleting (CFCs, HCFCs such as R-22)	HFCs and substitutes with GWP above 53
Charge threshold	50 pounds or more	15 pounds or more
Compliance date	In effect for many years	January 1, 2026
Exemptions	Specific appliance types	Includes residential and light commercial AC and heat pumps

A large system that holds both older refrigerants and newer ones in different circuits needs to be checked circuit by circuit.

How is the leak rate calculated?

The leak rate is the amount of refrigerant lost over a period compared with the full charge, usually expressed as a percentage per year. The rule allows owners to calculate it in one of two ways, and both rely on the same idea:

Rolling 12-month method. Add the refrigerant added to the appliance over the last 12 months, divide by the full charge, and multiply by 100.
Annualizing method. If you add refrigerant after a shorter period, scale the amount to a yearly rate using the number of days since the last addition.

Example with the rolling method: a chiller with a 600-pound full charge needs 90 pounds added during a year. The leak rate is 90 / 600 = 15%. Whether that triggers a repair requirement depends on the threshold for the sector.

Do not count refrigerant that was removed and returned to the same system, or refrigerant added after a documented repair that fixed the leak, in a way the rule does not allow. Read the calculation section of the rule or an EPA fact sheet for the rules on what counts as added charge.

What leak rate triggers repairs?

Reports from the industry and EPA materials give these trigger thresholds for the AIM Act rule:

30% for industrial process refrigeration;
20% for commercial refrigeration, such as supermarket systems;
10% for comfort cooling, refrigerated transport and other covered appliances.

These figures come from secondary summaries, and the subsector definitions are important, so check the current text of 40 CFR Part 84 or the EPA fact sheet before relying on them. If your leak rate is at or above the trigger, the owner or operator must repair the leaks within the time the rule specifies, and generally must verify the repair. Retrofit or replacement plans can be an alternative under the rule in some cases, with deadlines and documentation. Read the fact sheet for the current timing, which has been described as 30 days from discovery for repairs.

What records do I need to keep?

Good records are the center of compliance. EPA expects owners and operators and technicians to keep:

the full charge of each covered appliance and how it was determined;
the date, type and quantity of refrigerant added or recovered each time;
the calculated leak rate and the date it was calculated;
leak inspection and repair dates, findings and verification tests;
technician names and certification information; and
reports for chronic leakers, described below.

The rule requires keeping records for three years. For multi-site owners, a central log or maintenance management system is the practical solution. A paper logbook on each machine is also acceptable if it is kept current. For ideas on what else to log on a chiller, see the chiller maintenance checklist.

What is a chronic leaker?

EPA fact sheets state that owners of appliances with 15 pounds or more that leak 125 percent or more of the full charge in a calendar year must submit a report to EPA. That means the system lost more refrigerant in one year than its entire charge. Such a pattern normally indicates a problem that is beyond routine repair, such as corroded coils or worn shaft seals, and raises questions about replacement. The rule’s reporting requirements and deadlines may be updated, so use the current EPA page.

What about technicians and training?

Section 608 technician certification is still required to purchase and handle regulated refrigerants. Certified technicians must follow the leak repair, recovery and recordkeeping provisions in the rules, and the owner remains responsible for overall compliance. In Texas, state licensing for air conditioning and refrigeration work is a separate matter administered by TDLR; read how to become a chiller technician in Texas and how to get a Texas Class A ACR license.

What should facility teams do now?

List every system with 15 pounds or more of refrigerant, with refrigerant type, GWP and full charge.
Identify which are in exempt subsectors and which are not.
Start leak rate logs for covered systems, using the same calculation method each time.
Set a schedule for leak checks, including after repairs.
Plan for refrigerant supply as HFC phasedown steps continue; see what is the AIM Act HFC phasedown and HFC deadlines in January 2027.
Consider reclaimed refrigerant for service; see refrigerant reclaim and recycling.

For the broader picture of how rules changed in 2026, read refrigerants: what is changing in 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 15-pound rule apply to my rooftop unit?

It depends on the subsector. EPA states that residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pumps are exempt from the leak repair requirements. Large commercial or industrial equipment, chillers and refrigeration racks are more likely covered. Confirm with the current rule definitions.

How long do I have to repair a leak?

EPA summaries describe repair within 30 days of discovery once the leak rate threshold is exceeded, with verification afterward. Extensions or alternatives exist in some circumstances. Check the current rule and fact sheet for the details before relying on this number.

Do I need to send records to EPA?

Most records are kept on site and available for inspection. Reports are required in specific cases, such as chronic leakers. Check the current EPA pages for reporting portals and deadlines.

SpecServis engineers in Ukraine design, rebuild and maintain compressors and industrial refrigeration plants. We are planning to enter the Central Texas market and are looking for technicians, partners and a company to buy. See our open positions or partnership options.