Can Refrigerant Tracking Software Help Ensure Compliance?
By Mark Harbin
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Reading Time: 2 minutes 48 seconds
Short Answer: Yes — Refrigerant Tracking Software Absolutely Helps Ensure Compliance
If you’re wondering whether software can make refrigerant compliance easier, the answer is a resounding yes. Purpose-built refrigerant tracking tools help organizations stay compliant by centralizing data, monitoring leak rates, automating alerts, and creating audit-ready documentation. If your goal is to protect your organization from fines, reduce emissions, and simplify inspections or audits, this technology delivers exactly what you need.
In short: if you want to reduce compliance risks, avoid fines, and confidently meet regulatory requirements, refrigerant tracking software like the Locus Refrigerant Management app is one of the most effective tools available.
Why Compliance Is So Challenging Without Software
Today’s regulatory landscape is shifting rapidly:
- Organizations often manage dozens or hundreds of HVAC or refrigeration units, each with different refrigerant types (CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, and low-GWP alternatives), different charges, leak histories, and service records.
- EPA regulations have tightened under the AIM Act, with new phasedown requirements for high-GWP refrigerants beginning January 1, 2026.
- Systems with 15+ pounds of refrigerant must track leak rates, manage repairs, and maintain thorough documentation.
- Manual processes (spreadsheets, clipboards, disjointed records) are prone to error and increase compliance risk.
With so many moving pieces — refrigerant types, cylinders, leak events, inventories, conversions, and disposal requirements — it’s no surprise that traditional manual tracking often falls short.
How Refrigerant Tracking Software Supports Compliance
Using the capabilities of Locus Refrigerant Management as an example, software helps ensure compliance by simplifying and automating key tasks:
- Centralized, Comprehensive Tracking: Track facilities, appliances, refrigerant types, cylinder IDs, leak events, service logs, and disposal activities in one location.
- Automated Leak-Rate Calculations and Alerts: Locus software instantly calculates leak rates and flags exceedances, prompting timely repairs or follow-up inspections.
- Inspection and Maintenance Scheduling: Users can set inspection frequencies and get reminders for verification tests, follow-up repairs, or regulatory deadlines.
- Audit-Ready Reports: Generate required EPA reports, such as leak-rate summaries, chronically leaking appliance reports, or cylinder chain-of-custody documentation, with a few clicks.
- Scalable for Multi-Site Operations: Multiple facilities, teams, and contractors can access and update data without creating silos.
- Adaptability to Regulatory Changes: As refrigerants are phased out or rules evolve, software helps track transitions, conversions, and changes in compliance requirements.
Benefits of Using Refrigerant Tracking Software
1. Reduced Risk of EPA Fines and Penalties
Locus Refrigerant Management software helps you avoid violations related to missed leaks, incomplete documentation, or improper disposal practices.
2. Improved Operational Efficiency
Locus replaces time-consuming manual data entry and cross-checking with automated, real-time insight.
3. Stronger Audit Readiness
When the EPA or internal auditors request documentation, everything is already organized, consistent, and traceable in Locus.
4. Enhanced Sustainability and ESG Alignment
Better leak detection and responsible refrigerant handling reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support corporate climate goals.
5. Future-Proof Compliance
Tools are designed to accommodate refrigerant phasedowns, new low-GWP refrigerant types, and upcoming AIM Act regulations.
What Software Can’t Replace
While refrigerant tracking software is powerful, it’s not a complete substitute for:
- Properly trained and certified technicians
- Physical inspections and leak verification
- Accurate, timely data entry by maintenance personnel
- Responsible handling, disposal, or reclamation of refrigerants.
Locus Refrigerant Management software strengthens your compliance program, but it works best when paired with disciplined operational practices. Find out how to become a Certified Refrigerant Compliance Manager.
Who Benefits Most From Refrigerant Tracking Software?
- HVAC contractors and service providers
- Facility or property managers
- Grocery, cold storage, and industrial refrigeration operators
- Environmental and EHS teams
- ESG, sustainability, and compliance leaders
- Organizations undergoing refrigerant phasedown planning or conversions.
Any entity with high-refrigerant-charge equipment or multiple facilities gains major value from centralized, automated refrigerant tracking within purpose-built tools like Locus Refrigerant Management software.
Software Isn’t Just “Nice to Have” — It’s Becoming Essential
With tightening EPA regulations and refrigerant phasedowns accelerating, relying on spreadsheets or paper logs is no longer practical. Refrigerant tracking software like Locus provides the automation, structure, and transparency required for dependable, scalable compliance.
For organizations aiming to minimize risk, achieve environmental goals, and stay ahead of regulatory change, refrigerant tracking software isn’t just helpful; it’s a strategic advantage.
Mark Harbin
CEA, CRCM Senior Implementation Consultant
Mark Harbin is the Senior Implementation Consultant at Locus Technologies and the company’s in-house expert on refrigerant management and compliance. Mark contributes to the development of Locus Refrigerant Management software and advises Locus clients on their implementation of environmental and sustainability software. He also leads the Certified Refrigerant Compliance Manager (CRCM) course in partnership with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP), and he is a frequent author and speaker on ozone depleting substances and high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.
Mark spent 14 years in the commercial/industrial HVAC industry, and he has contributed to numerous energy retrofit and refrigerant conversion projects across the US. He later pivoted to a career in refrigerant management product development, consulting, training, and certification for organizations in all sectors, and joined Locus Technologies in early 2024. Mark earned a business degree from Arizona State University, and he is a licensed HVAC contractor in Arizona, an EPA Certified Technician – Universal, a Certified Environmental Auditor (CEA), a Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer (CESCO), and a CRCM through the NREP.
Locus is the only self-funded water, air, soil, biological, energy, and waste EHS software company that is still owned and managed by its founder. The brightest minds in environmental science, embodied carbon, CO2 emissions, refrigerants, and PFAS hang their hats at Locus, and they’ve helped us to become a market leader in EHS software. Every client-facing employee at Locus has an advanced degree in science or professional EHS experience, and they incubate new ideas every day – such as how machine learning, AI, blockchain, and the Internet of Things will up the ante for EHS software, ESG, and sustainability.



