What leak rate triggers the EPA requirement for repairing commercial refrigeration systems containing 50 pounds or more of R-22?

The trigger for the EPA requirement to repair commercial refrigeration systems containing 50 pounds or more of R-22 is a leak rate of 20 percent per year. This regulation is rooted in the need to minimize the release of ozone-depleting substances into the atmosphere, as R-22 is a hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) that contributes to ozone layer depletion. When a system exceeds this specified leak rate, it is considered inefficient and environmentally harmful, prompting the need for repair in order to maintain compliance with regulatory standards. A lower leak rate, such as 10 percent or 15 percent, does not mandate repairs under the current guidelines, whereas anything higher than 20 percent triggers necessary action to fix the leaks.