Industry sources in the United Kingdom have raised concern over so-called “easy install” air conditioning units containing HFCs, which are being marketed at non-refrigeration engineers, despite F-gas concerns.
Frigesco has been awarded new UK Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) funding of £102,000 to develop a flash defrost system for use in air-source heat pumps (ASHPs). Flash defrost can reduce supermarket cooling energy costs by up to 20 percent. Field trials in working supermarkets are currently underway.
A report by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) has found that after three years of stagnation the European heat pump markets are recovering. It indicates that 771,245 heat pump units were sold in Europe in 2013, an increase of 3 percent, and early data for 2014 show this trend to continue.
Trane is expanding its United Kingdom chiller portfolio with the addition of a range of multi-pipe chillers designed to simultaneously deliver hot and chilled water. According to the company, the units are suitable for many comfort air conditioning applications and industrial processes where simultaneous heating and cooling is required.
Small compressor giant Embraco has unveiled the first oil-free compressor for domestic refrigerators in the world. The firm said it believes the new concept “will revolutionize residential refrigeration, expanding the possibilities in designing new refrigerators — from format to even additional smart features.”
European contractor’s association AREA has launched its guide on the new F-gas regulation, aimed at clarifying the forthcoming changes for professionals who work in the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump sectors.
Researchers at the A*STAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering and the National University of Singapore believe they have created a powerful magnetic refrigerant that is easy to make in the lab, reports the nanotechnology journal nanowerk.
Two years after contaminated cooling towers led to a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Edinburgh hospitals, the message about proper maintenance is more important than ever.
The marketing used by heating and air conditioning firms still plays to traditional gender stereotypes, new research has revealed. A study conducted by PH Media Group has found the typical voice profile used in their audio branding is male and aged 35 to 45.
Graham Wright, the new president of heating and cooling manufacturers’ group HEVAC has called on the industry to tackle skills shortages and to keep supporting training, if it is to meet the challenge of increasing legislation.