Applying for FRIP funding is easy!
Create an account in the online portal above. We’ll collect basic contact information to set up your account and begin your application today.
Submit your FRIP application
Log in to the online application, enter your project information, and submit your application starting on October 14, 2024.
Sign grant agreement and order equipment
If your application is approved, sign the Technical Grant Agreement and you can proceed with ordering equipment. All installations must be complete by December 31, 2026.
Why switch to an ultra-low-GWP refrigerant?
Ultra-low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants - including ammonia, carbon dioxide, propane, and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) – are climate-friendly alternatives to the high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other fluorinated refrigerants that are commonly used today. Many of these ultra-low-GWP refrigerants, in particular those belonging to the class of natural refrigerants, have a long history of use and are exempt from many refrigerant regulations. Investing in these “future-proof” and sustainable alternatives is an opportunity to disrupt the cycle of costly refrigerant transitions once and for all
While increasing state and federal regulatory pressures are driving a transition away from HFCs, transitioning existing facilities can be cost prohibitive. By offsetting the cost of equipment, FRIP can help you get ahead of the transition, meet your corporate environmental goals, and grow the market to drive down prices for future projects. Through this program, early adopters will receive significant incentive funds to reduce the cost of starting the transition to an ultra-low-GWP future.
What incentives are available?
FRIP offers funding to early adopters who replace high-GWP refrigeration systems with ultra-low-GWP refrigeration technologies. Incentives will differ by refrigeration sector and scale with the size and scope of the replacement. Higher incentives are offered to facilities located in priority communities and independently owned and operated food retailers.
| Refrigeration Sector | Full Replacement Incentives | Partial Replacement Incentives* |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Food Refrigeration |
Facility located in priority communities & independent facilities:
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Facility located in priority communities & independent facilities:
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| Industrial Process Refrigeration |
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| Cold Storage / Other Refrigeration |
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*Secondary system with the primary refrigerant not an ultra-low-GWP (< 10 GWP) refrigerant
To be considered for funding approval, program applicants must not pre-purchase equipment or receive funds from other California programs targeting low-GWP refrigerants, among other conditions. See the FRIP Funding Guidelines for a complete set of requirements.
What does the application entail?
Application Deadline
Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis over two application windows, referred to as Window 1 and Window 2. The table below lists the opening and closing dates for each application window.
Application Window Dates
| Application Window | Opening Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Window 1 | October 14, 2024 | January 31, 2025 |
| Window 2 | March 3, 2025 | May 30, 2025 |
We understand that projects may have a long lead time, especially for major construction projects. Therefore, applicants must confirm that projects will be completed by December 31, 2026.
We provide support with the application process. Contact us here.
Application Checklist
Completing the online application is easy. Be sure the following information is readily available when you apply:
- Facility address and contact details, including tax ID
- Point of contact details for communications
- Existing and proposed refrigeration system information
- Estimated projects costs
- Estimated project start and end date
- Project documents
Review the FRIP Funding Guidelines for full list of application materials needed.
Need Technical Support? Join Live Weekly Q&A Session
Join our weekly live question and answer (Q&A) session on Fridays at 9AM PT to get your FRIP questions answered by our technical experts. FRIP applicants and their partners can attend these live sessions to answer questions about FRIP funding criteria, application materials, and eligible technologies. Sign-up for an upcoming session:
About
What are HFCs?
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) are chemical compounds primarily used as refrigerants. They are powerful greenhouse gases that are widely used in refrigeration and cooling systems for commercial and industrial facilities. Once considered a suitable replacement for ozone-depleting substances, HFCs are one of the most potent drivers of climate change. A metric called Global Warming Potential (GWP) is used to assess how much heat a greenhouse gas captures in the atmosphere compared to an equal amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). While CO2 has a GWP of 1, many HFC refrigerants have GWPs in the thousands. Ozone depleting predecessors of HFCs, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), are also potent greenhouse gases and are still commonly used in commercial and industrial facilities.
HFCs and other fluorinated refrigerants are commonly released into the atmosphere via equipment leaks and improper disposal. Due to the size and complexity of commercial refrigeration systems, an average supermarket leaks nearly 25% of its total refrigerant charge annually [Source: US EPA factsheet or CARB data].
Why do we care?
HFCs are the fastest growing greenhouse gas emissions in California, nationally, and globally. Short-lived climate pollutants, such as HFCs, black carbon, methane, and tropospheric ozone, cause up to 40% of current warming globally and have more immediate effects than other greenhouse gases [Source: Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy (ca.gov)]. Scientists predict that HFC emissions could contribute to an increase in global temperatures up to 0.5 degrees Celsius by the year 2100 [Source: Xu et al., 2013]. Reducing HFCs is essential to achieve the 2050 carbon neutrality goals set by the Paris Climate Agreement.
Since ultra-low-GWP (defined as having a GWP < 10) refrigerant alternatives cannot be used in existing HFC systems, the transition from HFCs requires a full replacement of the refrigeration system, which can be cost prohibitive.
FRIP funding
FRIP is funded partially through the State of California’s General Fund and partially through California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Purpose of the program
The California Legislature has recognized that moving to ultra-low-GWP refrigerants is critical to meeting the State’s short-term and long-term climate goals. They also recognized that the cost to implement necessary changes will limit adoption until these new technologies are the standard.
Like many other technology shifts, incentives help progress the market by reducing financial and other market barriers. Thus, the legislature has funded a $45 million incentive program – the F-Gas Reduction Incentive Program (FRIP) to be administered by the California Air Resources Board – to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases. FRIP will focus on reducing emissions in the commercial and industrial sectors by replacing existing high-GWP HFCs and other fluorinated refrigerants with ultra-low-GWP refrigerants where possible to help drive a faster market transition. Learn more about F-gas Reduction Incentive Program.
Benefits to priority communities
The state recognizes that the lack of quality food retail is a common problem in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Additionally, low-income and disadvantaged communities typically have less ability to invest in and adopt low-carbon practices or climate resiliency measures and will be the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
To focus on these areas, FRIP offers higher incentives to refrigeration facilities located in low-income and disadvantaged communities to promote investments that benefit residents and help reduce harmful emissions. Learn more about California Climate Investments to Benefit Priority Populations.
Contact us
We’re here to provide information and resources so you can make the best decision for your facility.
Contact us to discuss your project or for technical assistance with preparing and submitting an application.. We're available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (PST)
833-852-FRIP (833-852-3747)