Refrigeration

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a pre-publication Federal Register notice in response to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute’s (AHRI’s) petition for reconsideration of DOE’s final rule on energy efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers (WICFs). DOE announced it is denying the petition.

Three of the world’s leading HVACR associations, the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), and Brazilian Association for HVAC-R (ABRAVA), announced the formation of the Global Refrigerant Management Initiative at the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Summit.

Almost two-thirds of large supermarkets surveyed in northern and western European countries now use natural refrigerants in their stores, according to a new report issued by Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Europe. The research finds that this trend is being driven by industrywide sustainability policies that are outpacing legislation.

Hank Bonar, owner of Bonar Engineering and Construction of Jacksonville, Florida, provided the following as part of his response to a story on refrigeration trends in the Sept. 8, 2014 issue of The NEWS. A portion of this was used in that story; here, Bonar’s comments are presented in their entirety.

Contractors hoping for a final word on the newest refrigerants will have to wait — but maybe only a bit longer. Research continues and most of the studies are focusing on low-GWP HFCs and HFOs. But the good news is that what is currently being worked on could well represent the last generation of refrigerants.

A couple of manufacturers in the refrigeration sector — Mainstream Engineering and ICOR — are making announcements of developments in that sector.

Nowhere in refrigeration has change taken place faster in terms of system design and refrigerants than in the supermarket sector. But through it all, those who design, install, service, and maintain such changing technologies still need to understand how these systems’ components operate and how to do proper maintenance.

One flick that turns up every fall is called “Love at the Thanksgiving Parade.” One scene is supposed to take place in late November in Chicago. The good-looking guy and good-looking girl are shopping at a supermarket. But there do not appear to be any doors at the front of the store.

HVACR industry associations, manufacturers, end users, and fluorocarbon producers met with senior White House officials to show support and voluntary commitments to phase down HFCs. Industry coalition the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy and the White House hosted the event Sept. 16 at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

The rule deems certain HFC refrigerants unacceptable in specific applications on or after Jan. 1, 2016.