The annual survey of chiller manufacturers by ARI showed that building owners in the United States, as of January 1, 2004, had replaced or converted 43,774 units or 55% of the original 80,000 CFC chillers. New, non-CFC chillers reduce maintenance costs, use less electricity, and can typically pay back the cost of replacing an old CFC chiller in five years or less, according to the U.S. EPA.

ARI said that during 2003 there were 187 conversions and 2,398 chillers replaced with non-CFC equipment utilizing alternative refrigerants accepted for use by the EPA. The pace of the phaseout has been slower than expected due in part to federal tax laws, which require depreciation of the chillers over 39 years.