What are Refrigerant Gases, Leak Detection, and Reporting?

>of its chlorine atom. The released chlorine atom the
The article describes refrigerant gases, the differentreacts with the ozone (O3) chemical in the upper
types of refrigerants, and their categories such asatmosphere. The chlorine atom causes a chemical
HCFCs, CFCs, and PFCs. Further explained is wherereaction that changes oxygen (O3) to oxygen (O2).
refrigerant gases come from, why they are used inThe reduced oxygen molecule is not as efficient as
AC & HVAC equipment, and how existing Unitedozone at filtering out ultra violet radiation. This allows
States and European regulations require detailedthe strong and dangerous ultraviolet (UV) radiation to
monitoring and reporting of refrigerant gas usage,come through the atmospheric layers and down to
leaks, and disposal.the earth. For this reason as well as the greenhouse
Refrigerant gases are those used in climate control inwarming caused by some refrigerant gases, it is
commercial and business facilities such asimportant that refrigerant gases are contained and
warehouses, stores and office buildings. Thenot allowed to escape into the atmosphere.
refrigerants used in commercial heating, ventilatingRegulators like the Environmental Protection Agency
and air conditioning (HVAC) or regular air conditioning(EPA) monitor manufacturing plants and commercial
(AC) units include hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs),or industrial buildings and the related AC or HVAC
chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) and perfluorocarbon (PFC).systems they contain to make sure the refrigerant
HCFCs are used instead of CFCs which are known togases are not escaping into the atmosphere. Many
destroy the ozone layer of the atmosphere. HFCs dosystems, especially those over 2,000 pounds of
not have any of the organic chemicals chlorine orrefrigerant, are equipped with a gas monitors and
bromine, but they still do have a possibility of causingauto detection technology to assure the accuracy of
ozone depletion.the system and its integrity to contain the
Refrigerants have been around for many years.refrigerants.
Refrigerants are pressurized to condensed themCompliance regulations make businesses monitor for
which in turn reduces air temperature. Refrigerantssystem leaks and require repair of any damaged AC
are able to extract heat out of the air and moderateor HVAC systems within 14 days. Service
the internal temperatures through the repetitivemaintenance verification is required in addition to
evaporating and condensing of the refrigerants.detailed service records of all refrigerant usage. All
In the 1970s, scientists discovered that certainrecords must be maintained for up to 5 years.
refrigerants such as Freon and many others in theThe European Union has been at the top of the list
HCFC category could cause spontaneous, chemicalfor regulating greenhouse gases and refrigerants.
reactions and destroy the delicate ozone layerRegular inspections of AC/HVAC systems are made
protecting Earth´s atmosphere. Developments into monitor for leakages. As with the US EPA,
mandatory refrigerant usage and new regulationsinspectors check records for recovery systems.
were passed to restrict the methods ofRefrigerants must be recovered in closed systems so
manufacturing and the ways that refrigerants couldthat the gases don't escape into the atmosphere.
be used in common AC or HVAC systems.The EPA will issue fines to commercial facilities that
Refrigerants can not be purposefully vented or let toviolate the regulations or are not complying with
escape into the atmosphere.refrigerant tracking and monitory reporting. In the
Scientists know that refrigerants contribute to globalearly 1990s, Section 608 of the U.S Clean Air Acted
warming since they have a very high global warmingcertification is required for HVAC technicians to fix or
potential (GWP). GWP is a ratio developed tomaintain systems or to buy more than 20 pounds of
determine which chemical substances and refrigerantrefrigerants to recharge the systems.
gases released into the atmosphere create moreThe US Clean Air Act is a regulation that spells out
warming. These gases are considered Greenhousethe EPA's role in air quality, especially in protecting the
Gases (GHGs). The most common greenhouse gasozone layer and the tracking and reporting of
(GHG) talked about the most often is carbon dioxideGreenhouse Gases. The U.S. Clean Air Act is
(CO2) or just carbon for short. Little to many peoplemaintained by the Environmental Protection Agency
know, there are many other substances such as(EPA) of the US government. The Clean Air Act has
many of the refrigerant gases that are used in manyhad changes made in the 1990s and again in 2008
AC or HVAC systems that also contribute to Globalthat are more stringent than when it was first
Warming. Because these are not naturally occurringwritten over a decade ago.
and the amounts vented are very high, damage toNew legislation being writing and being passed in early
the ozone layer happens as these fluorinated gases2009 and 2010 will further restrict refrigerant gas
degrade into different chemical compounds. How dousage, reporting, and phase out of damaging HCFCs.
HCFC refrigerants like R-22 harm the Earth's OzoneWith continued tracking of carbon emissions and the
layer.pending mandatory reporting of carbon, organizations
When refrigerants escape and drift up into theof all sizes maintaining refrigeration systems with
atmosphere, they go through chemical changes whichmore than 50 pounds of refrigerant gas will need to
react to the ultraviolet (UV) sunlight. Thismaintain detailed service records.
disintegrates the CFC molecules and rids the molecule