In the 1970s, scientists discovered that certain refrigerants such as Freon and many others in the HCFC category could cause spontaneous, chemical reactions and destroy the delicate ozone layer protecting Earth´s atmosphere. Developments in mandatory refrigerant usage and new regulations were passed to restrict the methods of manufacturing and the ways that refrigerants could be used in common AC or HVAC systems. Refrigerant gases could no longer be deliberately released to escape or vented into the atmosphere.
There are many factors that could lead to a refrigerant leak in a refrigeration and air-conditioning (AC RAC) system or heating, ventilation and air conditioning refrigerator store near me (HVAC) system. A refrigerant leak is difficult to find manually, so many facilities use refrigerant management systems. The computerized systems find leaks in refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; even if they are hidden in a series of tubing that is hundreds of feet long, in an area that is hard to access, or around a pressure switch.
When a refrigerant leak occurs, it causes thousands of pounds of gases with ozone depleting substances (ODS) to escape into the air. Among them are hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), gases which are harmful to the environment and have a high global warming (GWP) potential.
Finding a refrigerant leak could prove difficult because refrigeration and air-conditioning (AC) systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are so complex. The cause of the refrigerant leak could be embedded in a series of tubing that is hundreds of feet long or in an area that is difficult to see or access.
A refrigerant leak could even be in a pressure switch or other operating or safety control. Often refrigerant leaks and the unintentional venting of gas are difficult to find or detect in large, commercial HVAC-R systems, progressive organizations use automated refrigerant management systems. These systems continuously monitor the system and can detect exactly where a leak originates. The results are easily displayed on a monitor for a quick resolution.
In the united states, the environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set strict standards for regulating and monitoring a refrigerant leak. The Montreal and Kyoto Protocols are environmental standards and detailed requirements, agreed to by international organizations, as to the proper monitoring and reporting of harmful substances. These regulations include protocols for repairing refrigerant leaks or disposing of systems within a certain time frame.
These multifaceted regulations require facility managers to submit comprehensive reporting records. Because of the complexity of the requirements, many building managers rely on refrigerant management programs, such as those offered by clean-tech development firms, for better facility oversight.
A refrigerant tracking solution allows facilities to keep accurate refrigerant usage records and properly report a refrigerant leak. A refrigerant tracking solution also enables a company to remain in compliance with state, governmental, and international protocols as they relate to the submission of refrigerant usage records and specific refrigerant reporting periods.
Because a refrigerant leak releases fluorinated greenhouses gases that are harmful to the environment, refrigerant management programs have become essential to companies, building or facility managers, and compliance officers. Refrigerant monitoring and tracking processes track HVAC-R systems that lead and empower service professionals to repair a faulty system before gases are vented. Refrigerant management programs are much faster and accurate than manual systems.
A refrigerant management program offers a number of benefits, including tracking a refrigerant leak. Through the use of web-based software, a person is enabled to manage any number of refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, regardless of the number of buildings or locations. This type of management tool enables companies to work more efficiently and cost-effectively in the facilities management area.
Many of today’s AC/HVAC systems and refrigerant products have high global warming (GWP) potential emissions. These include air conditioning (AC) in cars, homes and office buildings, commercial and home refrigerators, fire suppressant systems, and much more. Many of today’s AC/HVAC systems and refrigerant products have high global warming (GWP) potential emissions. These include air conditioning (AC) in cars, homes and office buildings, commercial and home refrigerators, fire suppressant systems, and much more. The California Air Resource Board (CARB) Stationary Equipment Refrigerant Management Program is intended to reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the use of chemically formulated consumer products. The drafted regulation orders for managing High Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants.
The proposed California Air Resource Board (CARB) draft legislation is identified as Subchapter 10, Article X, Sections 9 through 17 with sub-sections included of the California Code of Regulations which was created on September 4, 2008. As of this writing, the CARB early action members are working through a schedule of meetings to collect any feedback and refine the Stationary Equipment Refrigerant Management Program before it becomes law later in 2009.
Understanding refrigerant gas management regulations, including the 2009 CARB program and the expected EPA regulations, one can break down the overall topics into three main areas: