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Under an agreement signed between the US EPA and New Jersey’s largest real estate development company, the latter will take steps to ban the use of CFCs and HFCs for newly purchased AC systems. The move may be expected to open opportunities for the use of ammonia in the buildings sector.

With buildings accounting for close to half of the US greenhouse gas pollution, real estate development company Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. has signed an agreement last month with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) committing to reduce the impact of its retail and commercial properties on the environment across the state.

Regarding the heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment the agreement states that the company will:

• ban the use of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons for newly purchased air conditioning units

• use energy management systems to maximize the operating efficiencies of heating and cooling systems

• require that the technologies meet EPA Energy Star or similar performance guidelines

Other commitments undertaken by the company include seeking the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver, or higher, certification for its headquarters building in Secaucus and its Sheraton Suites project in Weehawken.

Hartz will submit a status report annually, and EPA will use the report to determine the environmental benefits associated with Hartz’s activities.

Over the years, EPA has reached similar agreements on green construction and operations under its "Green Team" programme.