| Refrigerant leak detection in HVAC and RAC | | | | companies subject to fines if their emissions are |
| systems is a challenging task even for the most | | | | not fixed within a certain time frame. |
| experienced service technicians as any leak can | | | | Refrigerant gas management software is a |
| be very well hidden in a system component, | | | | valuable tool in refrigerant leak detection. Such |
| tubing, or in a safety control switch. | | | | systems will be able to provide companies |
| With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | | | | important details on the performance of its |
| regulation documented in The U.S. Clean Air Act | | | | heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and |
| (Sections 608 & 609), refrigerant leak | | | | refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) systems, |
| detection takes on great urgency. The intent of | | | | monitor and detect refrigerant gas leaks, provide |
| the regulation is to lower emissions of gases | | | | reports on refrigerant use, and accurately keep |
| harmful to the environment. As such, the new | | | | records on maintenance and repair. |
| government rules no longer give service | | | | Regulations on refrigerant leak detection describes |
| technicians the option of adding refrigerant when | | | | and governs the proper repair of a leak and |
| the system is low due to a leak. Rather, the leak | | | | appropriate disposal of any refrigerant system |
| has to be found and fixed within a specified period | | | | which can't be repaired. These extensive |
| of time. | | | | requirements are in force in the United States, as |
| There are numerous types of testing equipment | | | | well as several foreign countries. The treaties set |
| that can be used in refrigerant leak detection, | | | | forth a worldwide response to improving and |
| some of it automated and others acting as | | | | protecting the planet. |
| sniffers for on site testing. To find the leak, | | | | Quick action of refrigerant leak detection is a |
| service technicians have to determine the best | | | | great importance to the environment. Refrigerant |
| method to use. Methods include a soap solution, a | | | | gases are identified to cause damage to the |
| halide torch, dye interception, isolation of a | | | | ozone layer which have high global warming |
| component from the system, or pressurizing the | | | | potential. To comply with environmental standards, |
| system with dry nitrogen gas. | | | | many companies are investing in a refrigerant |
| All of these methods take time and money, which | | | | management program to monitor and track |
| can turn into a very expensive service call. A less | | | | equipment usage. |
| costly alternative for companies is utilizing | | | | Because of environmental and cost concerns |
| refrigerant management software that pinpoints | | | | related to refrigerant leak detection, many |
| the origin of a leak by either tracking service | | | | facilities with systems that use refrigerants are |
| events over time to establish trends or to | | | | relying on refrigerant tracker applications. A |
| implement an automated leak detection | | | | refrigerant tracker monitors refrigeration and |
| technology. | | | | air-conditioning (RAC) systems and heating, |
| An electronic leak detector is one of the fastest | | | | ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems |
| methods used in refrigerant leak detection. Leaks | | | | around the clock and instantly detects the location |
| of HCFCs and CFCs can be found using | | | | of any leaks. Various studies confirm that |
| refrigerant leak detectors. Quick identification of a | | | | industrial and commercial facilities will be able to |
| leak is important because the release of these | | | | save money every year by using leak detection |
| gases is heavily regulated by the EPA, with | | | | monitoring systems. |