Aster is currently in pilot — we're working with a select group of independent operators in the New York area. Apply to join →
For independent grocery operators

Your refrigerant system
has to change.
You shouldn't have
to pay for it upfront.

New regulations are mandating the end of HFC refrigerants in supermarkets. Aster handles the transition from assessment, equipment, installation and compliance so you can stay focused on running your store.

Tell us about your store → See how it works ↓
$0 upfront cost to get started
2026 NY compliance deadline already in effect
10–25% reduction in refrigeration energy costs
1,200+ independent NY grocers facing this transition
The situation

The regulation doesn't care about
your cash flow.

New York's Part 494 regulation is already live. National chains have engineering teams, corporate credit lines, and manufacturer relationships to manage this. Independent operators are on their own — facing the same mandate with none of the same resources.

Gap 01 — Cost
CO₂ systems cost 25–40% more upfront
A compliant CO₂ transcritical system runs $470,000–$790,000 installed for a mid-size store. That's $115,000–$230,000 more than the HFC system you'd replace. There is currently no rebate, no manufacturer discount, and no point-of-sale relief in New York.
Gap 02 — Financing
Banks don't understand CO₂ systems
Your local bank doesn't know how to underwrite a CO₂ refrigeration loan. They see unfamiliar technology, higher loan amounts, and no energy savings model — so they either decline or offer worse terms. The 10–25% energy savings that justify the investment aren't in their underwriting formula.
Gap 03 — Expertise
Qualified technicians are locked up by chains
CO₂ systems run at over 1,400 PSI — fundamentally different from any HFC system. The few technicians trained on CO₂ are under contract with Kroger, ALDI, and Costco. Independent operators face extended lead times and uncertainty about who will service the equipment after install.
Gap 04 — Time
You're running a store, not a compliance department
National chains have dedicated engineers, compliance attorneys, and manufacturer partnerships. You have yourself, your contractor, and whatever you can piece together. The transition process — from audit to commissioning — takes 6–18 months and requires expertise most independent operators don't have in-house.
How Aster works

End-to-end transition management. You run the store.

We handle everything from the initial assessment through compliance documentation — structured so your monthly cost is less than what you'd save on energy and refrigerant.

01
Refrigerant estate assessment
We start by understanding exactly what you have: refrigerant types, system age, leak history, and your compliance timeline given your state and store size. This gives you a clear picture of what you're facing — and we give it to you at no cost.
What you get: A written assessment of your current system, your compliance exposure, and a rough cost range for transition options.
02
Transition plan and financing structure
We build a prioritized roadmap — what to replace first, what can wait, and what the total cost looks like over time. We structure the financing so monthly payments are offset by your energy and refrigerant savings. No upfront capital required.
Key insight: Over the equipment lifetime, the total cost difference between CO₂ and HFC narrows to under 10%. The problem is purely the upfront timing — and that's what we solve.
03
Equipment procurement and installation
We source equipment at volume pricing — not the list price independent operators typically pay — and coordinate certified CO₂ technicians for installation. We manage the project so you don't have to.
We work with authorized distributors and certified contractors. You get chain-level purchasing power without chain-level volume.
04
Ongoing compliance and service
After installation, we handle EPA 608 recordkeeping, leak detection logs, and regulatory reporting. If there's a service issue, we coordinate the technician response. You don't need to become a refrigerant expert.
Monthly service agreement covers compliance documentation, system monitoring, and technician dispatch coordination.
Why act now

The cost of waiting goes up every year.

Delaying doesn't eliminate the cost — it concentrates it. HFC refrigerant prices are rising as production allowances are cut. Leak compliance costs increase each year as thresholds tighten. And the longer you run aging HFC equipment, the more expensive the eventual transition becomes.

The grocers who transition early lock in energy savings sooner, face less competition for qualified technicians, and build a compliance track record before enforcement ramps up.

Regulatory timeline
Now
NY Part 494 — Already in effect
All new supermarket systems ≥50 lbs must use refrigerants with GWP below 580. New construction and major remodels are already in scope.
Jan 2026
Federal Leak Management Rule live
Mandatory leak detection, repair, and recordkeeping for any system with 15+ lbs of refrigerant. Every mid-size store is now in scope.
2028
Reclaimed HFC mandate begins
Servicing existing HFC systems will require reclaimed (not virgin) refrigerant. Supply will tighten; prices will rise.
2034
NY full natural refrigerant mandate
GWP threshold drops below 10 — effectively requiring CO₂ or propane for all covered systems in New York. Full transition is mandatory by this date.
2036
Federal 85% HFC phasedown complete
AIM Act production cuts reach their terminal level. HFC refrigerant becomes scarce and expensive to source for any remaining legacy systems.
Why Aster

We came to this from inside the industry.

Our team came to this problem through direct work with the CO₂ refrigeration supply chain — advising on commercial strategy for manufacturers selling into transcritical systems. That work gave us a ground-level understanding of how these deployments actually happen: what the equipment costs, where contractors get stuck, and why the financing never quite works for operators who aren't running hundreds of locations.

We're now focused exclusively on the independent grocer problem. We're early — we're talking to operators, contractors, and lenders to build something that actually works. If you're an independent operator facing this transition, we want to hear from you.

Get started

Tell us about your store. We'll be in touch within 48 hours.

We're selecting a small group of independent operators for our pilot cohort. If you're accepted, you'll work directly with our team on your transition — early access, direct attention, no pitch deck.

Limited spots — New York area operators only for now
No information shared with equipment vendors
Pilot operators shape how Aster gets built

Your information stays with Aster. We don't share it with equipment vendors, contractors, or third parties.

✓   We got it. Expect a call or email from us within 48 hours.
In the meantime, if you have questions, reply to the confirmation email or reach us directly.