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World Ozone Day is being celebrated on September 16 with the theme “global cooperation protecting life on Earth”, in recognition of the 35th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. On September 16, 1987, governments adopted the Montreal Protocol to control and reduce ozone-depleting substances, mainly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. […]
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has partnered with Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to produce a brochure that promotes the value of always using a licensed RAC technician. As well as raising awareness of the industry, it is intended to help improve recovery rates […]
As the European Union considers ambitious new targets for phasing down HFC refrigerants, industry is divided about the path forward. Some groups have cautioned regulators against moving too fast, but others believe the stricter phase-down is both achievable and desirable. What’s on the table? In April this year, the European Commission proposed two new regulations […]
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has released a set of free A2/A2L refrigerant training resources for registered training organisations (RTOs). The resources, developed in partnership with Refrigerants Australia and selected TAFE colleges, build on the unit of competency for A2/A2L refrigerants that the ARC created in 2018. They have been designed to assist RTO teachers […]
AIRAH is hosting a Technology Talk webinar on Thursday, June 30 about refrigeration systems. The session will include an onsite live demonstration streamed to the audience. Owner of Freeze Point Refrigeration, Morty Al Mandalawy, will present information on: The impact of system superheat versus evaporator superheat How the refrigeration system should be evacuated correctly How […]
High-GWP refrigerants may soon be in short supply and rising in price as stockpiles dwindle, international pressures hit our shores, and the HFC phase-down quotas start to bite. And according to experts at AIRAH’s Refrigeration 2022 conference this week, that means it’s time for contractors to urgently switch away from R404A. When the HFC phase-down […]
ATMOsphere (formerly shecco) has announced the ATMO World Summit 2022 will be held virtually on March 30. The ATMO World Summit is a natural refrigerant conference that will discuss the future of cooling and heating worldwide. It will be streamed over a 24-hour period. The conference will include webinars and presentations covering natural refrigerants such […]
A.G. Coombs has produced an update on its advice about refrigerant use for commercial HVAC systems. “As the world grapples with rising temperatures caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, refrigerants are under renewed scrutiny,” A.G. Coombs says. “Common refrigerants are classified as greenhouse gases, which can be hundreds or even a thousand times worse […]
The latest Cold Hard Facts report, just released, confirms that Australia has now very likely passed “peak bank” in terms of both total volume of refrigerant and its GWP value. But it also highlights segments of the refrigerant market that may require more attention, and the need for ongoing effort to restrict emissions. Since 2007, […]
Access is now available to three HVAC&R eLearning modules and various other free resources through the ASHRAE-UNEP Portal. The Refrigerants Literacy module offers a basic understanding about refrigerants types, policies, classifications and management practices. It is aimed at non specialists in the field, such as facility managers, policy makers, and other individuals who are involved […]
US refrigerant manufacturer Koura has launched R456A, an alternative to R134a for automotive aftermarket applications. R456A has a global warming potential of 626 – about half that of R134a. According to Koura, trials have shown R456A to be compatible with existing R134a automotive air conditioning systems while maintaining “high-quality, efficient performance”. The development comes as […]
After an extensive global search, Jack Govers has been named Chief Executive Officer of refrigerant titan, the A-Gas Group. Govers will lead A-Gas’ plans for growth, sustainability and operational business excellence. “I am joining A-Gas at an exciting time for the business as it continues on its environmental journey and plans for growth into new […]
A perfect storm of international forces may cause significant rises in the price of refrigerants in Australia. The first of these pressures is the US HFC phase-down, set to begin on January 1, 2022. As occurred in other markets around the world, importers and users are stocking up before restrictions begin, leading to increased demand. […]
While the HVAC&R sector tends to focus on the built environment, mobile air conditioning represents a significant portion of Australia’s refrigerant bank – and poses serious challenges as we look to phase down HFCs. The most recent Cold Hard Facts report indicates that mobile air conditioning comprises more than 20 per cent of Australia’s total […]
Five European countries have proposed new legislation that could see HFCs and HFOs classed as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – and covered by tighter regulations. PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that are very persistent in the environment and the human body. They do not break down, and can accumulate over time. They […]
A new report from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has exposed the alarming extent to which HFC refrigerants are illegally bought and sold in Europe. It suggests that the illegal trade represents as much as 30 per cent of the legal trade – or as much as 30 million tonnes of CO2e. Titled Europe’s Most […]
AIRAH has backed a federal government proposal to ban the import and manufacture of small air conditioners with high-GWP refrigerants – and called for similar actions in other classes of equipment. The ban on small air conditioners with high-GWP refrigerants would complete the transition – already well under way – from R410A to R32 and […]
The Ozone and Climate Protection Section of the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is seeking industry input on a proposal to limit the import and manufacture of small air conditioning units using high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. The approach would ban the import and manufacture of small air conditioning units using […]
A new report from the German Environment Agency, and research from the University of New South Wales have raised more concerns about the environmental impacts of HFO refrigerants. When hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) were identified as greenhouse gases, and targeted for phase-down under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) were put forward as an […]
Heat transfer specialist Alfa Laval has published a white paper offering guidance on selecting and accommodating refrigerants for diverse heating and cooling applications. The document, titled Navigating a changing refrigerants market, was developed by the company as a response to customers seeking guidance when choosing from the growing range of new refrigerants generally, and natural […]