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The Challenge: Moving Away From HCFC Refrigerants. The Challenges:. CFC production ended Dec. 31/95 CFC use phase-out and disposal HCFCs (R22) next for phase-out By 2010, 65% of supply eliminated and no new R22 units (R123 units continued to be produced). The Challenges:.
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The Challenges: • CFC production ended Dec. 31/95 • CFC use phase-out and disposal • HCFCs (R22) next for phase-out • By 2010, 65% of supply eliminated and no new R22 units (R123 units continued to be produced)
The Challenges: • 99.5% eliminated by 2020 • 95% of AC and 50% CR use HCFCs • Potential for serious service and maintenance challenges
The Industry Challenge • Orderly transition from HCFCs to alternatives • HCFC effect in equipment plans • HVACR equipment lifetime - 10 to 30 years • Awareness by contractors and customers key to good equipment planning
HCFC Phase-out Schedule • January 1, 1996 baseline annual allowable amount of HCFCs based on Protocol terms • January 1, 2004 annual allowable amount of HCFCs reduced by 35% • January 1, 2010 annual allowable amount of HCFCs reduced by 65%
HCFC Phase-out Schedule • January 1, 2010 no new R-22 equipment manufactured or imported (R123 equipment still available) • January 1, 2015 annual allowable amount of HCFCs reduced by 90% • January 1, 2020 annual allowable amount of HCFCs reduced by 99.5% (HCFC-123 available until 2030 for chiller service); no new HCFC equipment (R123) manufactured or imported
Where HCFCs Are Used • HCFC-22 - residential and commercial a/c & heat pumps, chillers, commercial refrigeration (supermarkets, food storage, beverage coolers) • HCFC Blends - commercial refrigeration (supermarkets, food storage & processing, beverage large coolers, ice machines, ice rinks) • HCFC-123 - chillers
What Does This Mean for Contractors? • Major supply impact over the years to 2010 • Phase-out more critical to equipment planning as decade progresses • Key - planned approach for replacement and retrofit • Owners must be made aware of HCFC issues (life cycle of equipment and phase-out implications)
What Does This Mean for Equipment owners? • Servicing and maintaining existing HCFC equip. • Declining availability of HCFCs (R-22) • Life cycle for new equipment (i.e., ROI) • Determining remaining life of old equipment • Understanding alternative equipment and refrigerant options
What Should Contractors Do? • Understand HCFC phase-out and alternatives • Educate technicians and sales staff • Communicate “the right story” to customers when planning for RAC equipment • Refer customers to additional sources of info
What Should Wholesalers Do? • Educate counter and sales staff on HCFC phase-out and alternatives • Keep up-to-date on new alternatives • Verbally communicate current HCFC information at counter and through sales staff to contractor customers • Have brochures and posters available at counter
What Should Equipment Owners Do? • Awareness of HCFC phase-out impact on equipment planning • Assistance from contractor/equipment specifier • Review stock of RAC equipment and discuss long and short term plans with contractor/equipment specifier • Consult additional info sources
HCFC Alternatives What Are the Options? • Residential & commercial a/c - HFC blends • Chillers - HCFC-123 (2030), HFCs, HFC blends and ammonia • Commercial & industrial refrigeration -HFCs, HFC blends and ammonia
HCFC Alternatives: What Are the Options? • Hydrocarbons • refrigerants for refrigeration and air conditioning require safety rating and approval (large volumes) • hydrocarbons rates as flammable and restricted to small volumes (less than 300 grams) • CSA B52 does not allow use of hydrocarbons in RAC equipment (awareness for HCFC alternatives)
More Information? • HCFC web site - www.hrai.ca/hcfcphaseout • Links to other resources including HRAI refrigerant manufacturers/distributors, Environment Canada, ASHRAE, etc. • Environment Canada web site: www.ec.gc.ca/ozone • HRAI HCFC Awareness Brochures and Posters HCFC AWARENESS = GOOD BUSINESS SENSE