While servicing equipment, technicians should be on the lookout for sources of potential future leaks, as well as follow good service practices to prevent creating leaks.

Refrigerant regulations are another reason why change is coming, as HCFCs will be phased out by 2020, and given their high global warming potential (GWP), HFCs will likely be phased down in the near future as well. At some point, supermarkets will need to start considering low GWP alternatives such as HFO blends, as well as so-called “future-proof” refrigerants such as ammonia, CO2, or propane.

Manufacturers are rolling out a wide array of new equipment that utilizes all types of refrigerants, providing end users with a number of new options to consider.

These products have refrigerator and freezer model selections including both swing and slide door refrigerators and swing door freezers.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a typical food retail store leaks an estimated 25 percent of refrigerant, or approximately 1,000 pounds, annually.

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) unveiled a new initiative identifying U.S. retailers committed to taking leadership action to reduce HFCs.

Hoshizaki America Inc. started shipping sushi cases with the energy efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant, R600a, earlier this month.

The Refrigeration Showcase educates contractors about new refrigeration products, so they can help customers make the right choice.

As refrigerant regulations grow more stringent, manufacturers are beginning to offer new refrigeration architectures that utilize low-GWP refrigerants.

While large grocery stores are not going away any time soon, there is a new trend taking hold in the marketplace: the small-format grocery store.

Grocers are becoming more vigilant in keeping their refrigeration equipment as clean as possible.

The equipment and components in this showcase are designed to appeal to both end users and the people who work on them in the field.

The Showcase is designed to educate contractors about the new commercial and industrial refrigeration products available.

Target and Amazon have both recently announced plans to construct new stores that contain CO2 refrigeration systems, which will help the retailers significantly reduce carbon emissions and energy use.

From ice machines to reach-ins to controls to components, the Showcase is designed to educate contractors about the new commercial and industrial refrigeration products available, so they can help their customers make the right choice for their application.

In an informative session at the NASRC’s Sustainable Refrigeration Summit, Publix and Coborn’s shared the pros and cons of incorporating CO₂ refrigeration systems into their stores.

These Emerson half-day CO₂ transcritical booster supermarket refrigeration courses will take place March 28, 29, and 30 at the Energy Education Center in Irwindale, California.

EPA recently expanded its list of acceptable refrigerant substitutes for new refrigeration equipment to include R-471A and R-515B.

At the AHR Expo, manufacturers displayed their latest commercial refrigeration equipment, which included condensing units, components, controls, and other solutions.

A New Hampshire grocer installed the innovative FlexCube refrigeration system, a modular technology using the A2L refrigerant R-454C, in his new store.

Refrigerant manufacturers highlighted their low-GWP refrigerants for both air conditioning and refrigeration applications at the 2023 AHR Expo.

Air conditioning and refrigeration are marvelous inventions and have a transformative impact on comfort and health, underscoring their irreplaceable role in modern living.

The transition to A2L refrigerants will offer benefits to the environment, as well as business challenges for HVACR OEMs, distributors, and contractors.

RDSs are generally required in A2L systems that contain more than 4 pounds of refrigerant and can either be field or factory-installed, depending on the manufacturer.

Manufacturers are offering low-GWP refrigerant alternatives, as EPA is proposing a 700 GWP limit for most new comfort cooling chillers starting in 2025.

The most important features of electronic measuring devices have been established in customer surveys and are discussed in this article.

Technicians have the choice of using either a digital or mechanical manifold gauge. Each one has its benefits and disadvantages, which is why it may pay to own one of each kind.

The Magnitude^® magnetic bearing centrifugal chillers from Daikin Applied not only reduce maintenance requirements and offer increased efficiencies, according to one Dealer Design Awards judge, but they also feature nearly nonexistent compressor vibration and top-tier customer support. 

A lot of refrigerant reclaimers aren’t charging for mixed refrigerants anymore, which may in turn, mean an opportunity for HVAC contractors to make more money.

The EPA initially faced backlash from the industry regarding the sell-through mandate for certain HVAC systems. The Agency revised the provision by allowing one additional year, until January 1, 2026.

Food retailers shared their concerns and experiences with refrigeration systems that use alternative refrigerants at the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI’s) 2023 Energy & Store Development Conference.

The transition to A2Ls will likely serve as an interim solution. Europe has already embraced propane in certain heat pump systems, and the U.S. may follow suit, albeit with a different low-GWP refrigerant.

ALDI aims to become the most sustainable grocer in the U.S., by committing to transition to natural refrigerants in all stores by 2035.

In preparing for the refrigerant transition, contractors and distributors should review their inventory and become educated on the regulations.

With over 1,000 Sunday service attendees and many church activities throughout the week, energy efficiency for the sake of cost savings was critical.

Both commercial facilities and residential domiciles are taking advantage of heating and cooling technology at accelerated rates.

As HVACR technology advances, contractors often find themselves navigating new learning curves on a regular basis. VRF is no exception.

Troubleshooting refrigeration systems can be complex and frustrating, so put aside any assumptions and inspect the system thoroughly before making any diagnosis.

Contractors need to implement a refrigerant management strategy that accommodates both legacy and A2L systems, as well as emphasizes recovery and reclamation.

Timely refrigeration repairs are crucial to avoid product loss; temporary fixes can sometimes keep systems running until parts arrive.

Four core components work together to control when refrigerant is absorbing heat, and when it is releasing heat.

When changing the refrigerant within your pumping application, it is worth discussing the application with a process specialist.

CO₂ refrigeration systems demand both classroom knowledge and hands-on experience, which is why blending theory with practice creates top-notch technicians.

In supermarkets, where HVAC and refrigeration equipment use 50 to 60 percent of all electricity consumed, new technologies and advanced control strategies have been developed to help boost energy efficiency as well as reduce emissions.

EPA is counting on increased recovery and reclamation in order to maintain existing HVAC equipment, and finally, the numbers are going in the right direction.

In the seventh installment of this series, we ask if there are any special storage requirements for A2L refrigerants.

GreenChill recognized nine supermarket and commercial refrigeration leaders for exceptional achievements to reduce the impacts of commercial refrigeration systems on the environment. 

NASRC has launched a workforce development program that focuses on recruitment, training, and retention, in order to combat the critical shortage of refrigeration technicians. 

This e-book includes a summary of sustainable HVAC developments, in particular of heat pumps and refrigerant changes to address climate change.

Matt Frisbie, author of Building Browser Extensions, speaks with host Kanchan Shringi about browser extensions, including key areas where they've been successful. Based on Matt’s experience as a developer working for Google, Doordash, and a startup he founded, they examine tools for building extensions, as well as APIs they have access to. The conversation presents detailed issues such as cross-browser compatibilities to keep in mind when developing extensions and mechanisms in the browser to prevent security vulnerabilities, and finally examines how emerging platforms can help developers take advantage of exciting new possibilities with web extensions.