The latest refrigerant transition is well underway, with the 10% cut in the production of HFC refrigerants that went into effect last year. But there are growing concerns about some of the chemicals used in certain synthetic refrigerants, such as PFAS.
Copper was the mainstay in HVAC and refrigeration coils until 2011, when copper prices went through the roof. As manufacturers began testing alternatives, the industry settled on aluminum as a workable, less costly option.
At the AHR Expo, a panel of HVACR industry experts discussed the refrigerant transition and supply chain issues, as well as the labor shortage and the new efficiency standard.
Congressman James Comer sent a letter to EPA, asking the Agency why it has not responded to petitions from Worthington Industries and others, regarding its proposed ban on non-refillable refrigerant cylinders.
Technicians should learn how to troubleshoot defrost timers, as they can be the culprit if a freezer that uses an electric heater as its supplemental heat source has a frozen evaporator coil.
If a potential relay is malfunctioning, the compressor motor is in danger of not starting, stalling, locking rotor, or even burning out. That is why technicians should understand how to troubleshoot potential relays.
Danfoss hosted its 27th annual press breakfast at the AHR Expo, offering insights into the current and future state of the company, as well as the HVACR industry.
Technicians should understand how heat transfer works in a refrigeration system, as well as the four laws that describe how temperature and pressure changes affect the state of refrigerant in a sealed piping system.