The HVAC/R industry is experiencing an accelerated shift in equipment design and innovation. In order to remain competitive, manufacturers vying for market share are producing equipment with high energy efficiency, integrating the use of smart technology, and adhering to rules/regulations governing the phaseout of refrigerants that have a high (GWP) Global Warming Potential.
The most prominent change being the phaseout of refrigerants manufactured with chemical compounds that have a high (ODP) Ozone Depletion Potential. Refrigerant manufacturing companies are flooding the market with several options of new HFC refrigerants suitable for retrofitting and maintaining existing equipment in the field. It is essential for HVAC/R companies and technicians to be updated with refrigerant trends and proper service procedure guidelines. This will help to ensure recommendations to customers offer a suitable replacement to sustain longevity of their equipment as stricter rules evolve with changing government regulations.
The industry is experiencing a rise in the use of natural refrigerants such as Ammonia (R717) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2- R744) in the commercial and industrial sectors. Hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants such as Propane (R290) and Isobutane (R600a) are becoming a mainstay in smaller commercial reach in cooler/freezer equipment. This is excellent news from an environmental standpoint, as all these refrigerants have an extremely low GWP level. I feel regulatory compliance training needs to be implemented by TSBC (Technical Safety of BC). This would ensure technicians are properly trained to service and maintain equipment containing refrigerants that are asphyxiant gases and highly flammable. Safety should be at the forefront for the people who work daily, preserving food products.
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I enjoyed your Trends blog. It's encouraging to see the environment has a solid seat at the table as the industry is shifting to more natural refrigerants.