As Global Efforts to Reduce Refrigerant Emissions Gain Momentum, This Software Helps Companies Track Their Use

At the current rate, cooling systems like refrigerators and air conditioners are expected to account for over 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2050, according to the most recent data from the United Nations. One way the organization recommends slowing that growth is a faster phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons, the extremely potent greenhouse gases commonly used as refrigerants for things like keeping food cold in grocery stores and cooling buildings. 

With a global shift toward natural refrigerants and other alternatives underway — including stricter government regulation in some countries — tracking refrigerants is a matter of economic necessity and regulatory compliance. 

To help companies make the transition, Locus Technologies launched software that tracks refrigerant use, accurately manages refrigerant phasedowns and prevents excess emissions. The Locus Refrigerant Management software also sends alerts when the amount of refrigerant that is supposed to be used is exceeded, detects leaks and creates leak response protocols.

“It’s built to simplify compliance, standardize and quicken the documentation from the field, and then also to provide safety nets, in essence, so that things don’t fall through the cracks,” Mark Harbin, senior implementation consultant for Locus, told TriplePundit. 

The software’s strength is in real-time data, Harbin said. Refrigerant data is captured instantly via mobile devices by technicians and appears immediately on the software dashboard. If there are compliance issues, email notifications are sent to designated personnel. And automated notifications trigger follow-up tasks, ensuring corrective actions are promptly initiated — whether it’s another inspection, repairs or other necessary steps. 

Accuracy is ensured through transparency, Harbin said. Every piece of data entered and edit made is traceable. Information is recorded with a user's fingerprint and a date stamp. And it's all securely stored in the system, visible on the dashboard, and included in email notifications, providing a clear and verifiable record.

The pivotal component in this process is the connection to the refrigeration system itself and the accuracy that comes with it, Harbin said.

“The real-time service record links the appliance to the refrigerant source, integrating refrigerant inventory, asset data and service history,” he said. “This connection allows for accurate inventory adjustments and calculations. The system tracks the amount of refrigerant added, subtracts the recovered amounts and determines the net leakage.”

The software measures leaks based on a formula that factors in things like when the appliance was last serviced and accounts for the variety of ways facilities might track refrigerants. “Because leak rate calculations involve multiple variables, it is crucial to ensure accurate data points,” Harbin said. 

Developing standalone software that was robust, adaptable and ready to use immediately was a challenge that Locus surmounted by using a multidisciplinary team of experts, he said. Plus, the software already had a strong foundation based on the company’s established waste management system. 

“We’re not just a software company,” Harbin said. “We have in-house domain experts — including specialists in water, waste and refrigerants — ensuring our solutions are grounded in industry knowledge.”

The refrigeration management software meets all regulatory requirements, but also allows for some user customization, whether it is adjusting the interface or adding extra fields to better suit specific needs. “Another key advantage of our software over competitors is its configurability,” he said. “We offer a standard out-of-the-box product that works across industries while also allowing for customization to meet specific needs.”

And the software isn’t tied to a specific equipment manufacturer or computer management system, Harbin added. “This means we operate independently, without any obligation to sell specific equipment or platforms, ensuring a truly unbiased solution.”

Regardless of where a company operates, the key software components remain consistent and ensure compliance across the board. Different state regulations across the United States are one example. 

“The California Air Resources Board program is the most prominent and successful, with Washington State following a similar model,” Harbin said, referring to California’s Refrigerant Management Program requiring refrigerant leak inspections and prompt repairs. “Even New York is taking an aggressive approach to global warming potential limits, imposing sales restrictions and some usage regulations.”

The key benefit of refrigerant tracking tools is planning for the future, Harbin said. Legacy systems and spreadsheets can quickly become overwhelmed by increasing regulatory requirements like tracking more systems, maintaining service records, performing calculations and generating reports.

“Regardless of whether regulations tighten or loosen, a lot of this comes down to economics,” Harbin said. “As a facility manager, I need to stay on top of everything. With refrigerants being phased out, prices rising exponentially, and options becoming more limited, I have to plan for transitions. And that requires data.”