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In 2007 and 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published an industry model of the expected HCFC market size and the related demand for R-22. The current and new demand for R-22 refrigerant gas will ever increase as new leaks and service events need to top off the gas. This will increase the shortage of available R-22 in the marketplace.
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Collecting, organizing, and reporting of refrigerant gas data is challenging, the complexity of system auditing is confusing, and it remains difficult to remain in compliance with regulations. Learn how-to survive managing your refrigerants.
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| Environmental Buzz For R 22 Refrigerant Gas Phase Out |
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Refrigerant Tracker from Verisae enables accurate tracking and reporting of refrigerant gas usage across a distributed enterprise. Remain in compliance with Refrigerant Tracker. Know accurate inventories, keep updated maintenance logs, and track usage of refrigerants across all of your locations and AC/HVAC systems.
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There is a lot of buzz surrounding R 22 refrigerant gas, mainly because it is one of the products on the worldwide list to be banned, yet it is still widely used in numerous applications. With the government phase out underway, facilities with equipment that use this harmful chemical substance are in a hurry to put measures into place that meet the requirements of the law.
R 22 refrigerant gas is on the list of banned substances because it is one of the main contributors to the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming. A phase-out has been in place for several years under the Montreal Protocol and U.S. Clean Air Act to rid the world of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons found in various cooling and refrigeration systems. Other countries are also following suit by devising similar agreements.
R 22 refrigerant gas is a known hydrochlorofluorocarbons found in commercial refrigeration units, as well as air-conditioning systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. This equipment is in operation throughout numerous industries, including retail supermarkets, hotels and restaurants, hospitals, office buildings, food processing warehouses and manufacturers, just to name a few.
The main problem with R 22 is the damage it causes to the environment when it is released into the air, especially when there is a leak. To better manage the use of this gas, the EPA is requiring businesses and municipalities to track its usage and submit reports on a regular basis. Recognizing that this can be a time-consuming process if done manually, many companies are turning to software that automatically tracks and reports according to the requirements under the regulations. A penalty fee structure has been established for those who fail to comply with the requirements.
Shortly, R 22 will no longer be manufactured or used in new refrigeration and cooling equipment. Rather, eco-friendly refrigerants have been developed to serve as alternatives. While companies with equipment still using the ozone-depleting refrigerant are not required to purchase a new system, they will need to follow strict guidelines on what to do when conducting routine maintenance and making repairs on their systems.
Chemical manufacturers can continue to produce R 22 refrigerant gas to service existing systems up until January 1, 2020. After that date, the harmful substance can no longer be produced and only refrigerant that has been recovered and recycled can be used in existing systems.
R 22 is a greenhouse gas that has been in use for over four decades. While natural greenhouse gases help to stabilize the earth’s temperature, manmade chemicals, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons, can increase global average temperatures. As a result, the makeup of the planet will begin changing and eventually cause major devastation.
Some alternatives to R 22 refrigerant gas that have been tested and found to cause no harm to the ozone layer are R-410A, R404A and R407c. These blends are also more energy efficient. Some are already in use in new refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Facility managers should review EPA requirements for alternatives approved for use in their systems.
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