GreenChill Store Certification Program FAQ

This page features answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on GreenChill's Store Certification Program.

Program Information

What is the GreenChill Store Certification Program?

GreenChill's Store Certification Program for Food Retailers recognizes individual stores for using environmentally friendlier commercial refrigeration systems. Achieving GreenChill Certification provides recognition and publicity for a company’s commitment to environmental protection and stewardship.

Who can apply for GreenChill Store Certification?

Any food retail store in the United States can apply for GreenChill Store Certification.

What are the benefits of a store being GreenChill certified?

GreenChill certified stores are industry leaders in adopting best practices in sustainable refrigeration. By encouraging stores to address and manage refrigerant leaks, the GreenChill program mitigates the release of harmful emissions and helps stores generate financial savings by reducing the need to replace costly refrigerants in leaky systems.

Joining the GreenChill Partnership can also help stores can earn publicity for their environmental achievements, as well as demonstrate their commitment to sustainability to their customers. The GreenChill program recognizes certified stores during an annual recognition event and regularly features certified stores on the GreenChill website and social media platforms.

The Application Process

How do I apply?

Applying for GreenChill Store Certification is simple. For each store being submitted for certification, complete the appropriate application form, collect the required supporting documentation, and send the completed materials to GreenChill@epa.gov.

Is there an application deadline?

No, the GreenChill team reviews applications continuously throughout the year.

Where can I find detailed application guidance?

For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for GreenChill store certification, please visit our How to Become a GreenChill Certified Store page. If you are submitting an application for the first time, or would like additional guidance, the GreenChill team is available to meet, walk through the process, and respond to specific questions. Please reach out by emailing GreenChill@epa.gov.

Which application form should I use?

The application form you use depends on when the store opened and whether it certified previously.

• Newly Constructed Store form: For stores that are not yet operational or have been operational for less than 12 months.
• Operational Store form: For stores that have been in operation for at least 12 months.
• Recertification form: For stores that have previously certified and are seeking renewal of their certification.
  • Bulk Application form: To apply for multiple stores (new stores and/or recertifications) in a single application. More information about the bulk application process can be found here.

Are there restrictions on the quantity of stores that can be submitted in a bulk application?

No, a bulk application can be submitted for any number of stores (>1), provided that all required information is included for each store.

What additional documentation do I need to provide?

The supplemental documentation required depends on when the store opened and whether it has been previously GreenChill certified.

Note: these documents are in addition to the above application forms.

Newly Constructed: Stores that are not yet operational or have been operational for less than 12 months must submit a copy of their refrigeration system legend (schedule); confirmation of the total refrigerant charge size (lbs.); documentation stating predicted annual HFC emissions;  and a signed Installation Leak Tightness Testing Verification Form.

Note: Any store that has been operational for 6-12 months must also provide supporting documentation for emissions starting the date the store opened, unless the store is using a refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150.

Operational: Stores that have been operational for more than one year must submit a copy of their refrigeration system legend (schedule); confirmation of the total refrigerant charge size (lbs.); and provide emissions documentation for the previous 12 months.

Recertification: Stores that have previously certified and are seeking renewal of their certification must provide emissions documentation for the previous 12 months.

For more information on the documentation requirements for each application type, please see Section 6 of the appropriate application form.

What format of emissions documentation is acceptable?

There is no specific format required to document emissions. Any documentation that clearly demonstrates the amount or percent of refrigerant leaked during the prior 12-month period is sufficient (e.g., emissions report from a store’s leak tracking software or screenshots of emissions data from a store’s refrigeration system database).

Store Certification Criteria

Do I have to be a GreenChill Partner to certify a store?

No, any food retail store may apply for GreenChill store certification, regardless of their Partnership status.

What criteria are considered for store certification?

Certification is evaluated and determined based on the following information:

• Type of refrigerants used in the store,
• Refrigerant emissions,
• Refrigerant charge and evaporative heat load, and
• Adherence to GreenChill’s Installation Leak Tightness Testing requirements (only applicable for New Stores).

See the GreenChill Store Certification Criteria guidance document for more detailed requirements.

What types of refrigerants may be used?

To be eligible for GreenChill Store Certification, no Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS), such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs), may be used anywhere in the store, including in heating, ventilation, or air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment.

GreenChill encourages the use of lower-GWP refrigerants wherever possible. For more information on these refrigerants and other recent advancements in refrigeration technology, see our Advanced Refrigeration page.

How is average HFC refrigerant charge calculated?

GreenChill calculates average HFC refrigerant charge by dividing the total pounds of refrigerant in the system by the total calculated evaporated heat load. Average HFC refrigerant charge is measured in units of pounds per 1,000 British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour (i.e., lbs./MBH). Please note, the total load does not include the store’s HVAC system, self-contained refrigeration equipment, sub-cooling, heat of rejection, or pump heat.

What type of tracer gas is acceptable for use in the leak tightness testing procedure?

To be eligible for GreenChill Store Certification, no chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) may be used. Due to their high global warming potential, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) may only be used as tracer gases when other gases (e.g. nitrogen or helium) are unable to achieve the required results.

For more detailed information on GreenChill’s installation leak tightness testing requirements, see the Best Practices Guideline.

Certification and Recertification

How long does certification last?

Certification lasts for 12 months. Expiration dates are documented in the certificates provided to stores upon conferral of certification.

What do I need to do when my store’s certification expires?

Once a certification has expired, a store must reapply to renew their certification for the next year. To recertify, stores should complete and submit the Recertification application form.

Stores are encouraged to submit their recertification application on, or immediately prior to, the date that the certification expires, to ensure continuity of certification. However, a recertification application may be submitted at any time after a store’s previous certification has expired, regardless of whether it has been expired for a week or more than a year.

If certification is not granted, do I have to wait a full year before applying again?

Not necessarily. There are a couple of circumstances in which stores may be able to reapply before 12 months have passed, including:

• If certification is not granted due to a refrigerant emissions rate greater than 15%, a store may reapply as soon as that emissions rate drops to 15% or lower for a 12-month period.
• If certification is not granted due to not meeting the leak tightness testing requirements, a store may reapply once it has been operational for at least 12 months, at which point leak tightness testing is not considered as part of the certification criteria.
• If certification is not granted due to an average HFC charge greater than the 1.75 lbs./MBH silver-level certification requirement, a store may reapply once it has decreased its total charge size by the amount needed.

Does a store remodel or system retrofit affect a store’s ability to certify/recertify?

Not necessarily, but a store may be required to submit additional application materials (e.g., updated refrigeration system legend or refrigerant charge size confirmation) if it has undergone a retrofit or remodel.

If the store has been remodeled or retrofitted, please email GreenChill@epa.gov to determine eligibility and submission requirements.