Feature Post
Safety Standards Establish Usage Guidelines for A2L Refrigerants
The stage is set for the emergence of mildly flammable A2L refrigerants in U.S. commercial refrigeration. As I discussed in the first installment of our new A2L Fundamentals blog series, federal regulations are in the process of aligning with the global hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phasedown, which would restrict global warming potential (GWP) limits and favor the use of A2Ls. These new proposals would not be possible without guidance from recently updated safety standards that govern the use of flammable refrigerants. This blog will explain how these safety standards apply to commercial refrigeration equipment and help to ensure application safety. I also cover this topic in our companion video series; please visit our content hub to explore these videos.
Join Emerson and NASRC for Free CO2 Training
Service technicians are at the front lines of the refrigerant transition in HVACR. As part of our commitment to educating our industry’s vital contractor base, Emerson will be facilitating free CO2 sessions at a natural refrigerant training summit co-hosted by the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) and Southern California Edison. This three-day event, called Building a Sustainable Technician Workforce, will take place April 4–6 at the Energy Education Center in Irwindale, Calif. Emerson’s CO2 Mobile Training Unit will be on-site to give attendees hands-on experience with a supermarket CO2 system.
The HSI Furnace Control that Keeps HVACR Pros at the Jobsite, Not the Supply House — An HVAC School Podcast Recap
Emerson has released several universal parts innovations that help make technicians’ lives easier by reducing the number of steps needed to create a reliable outcome for customers. The latest generation of high-quality universal parts can replace several brands and hundreds of cooling and heating parts by matching the fit and function of the original parts. These universal parts can be easily adaptable and installed, and some even feature drop-in replacement capabilities with minimal setup required.
Understanding A2L Refrigerant Fundamentals — New Blog and Video Series
A2L refrigerants are a new and relatively unknown commodity in the U.S. commercial refrigeration and air conditioning (AC) sector s. With the stage set for wider A2L adoption in the coming years, many stakeholders have a variety of questions and concerns that need to be addressed. In a new video and blog series, A2L Fundamentals , Joe Summers, senior product manager of Emerson’s Commercial & Residential Solutions Business and I set out to explain the drivers behind the emergence of A2L refrigerants and discuss their safe application. This introductory blog will provide an overview of the regulatory landscape that’s paving the way for A2L adoption. Please visit our content hub to view the video series.
New EPA Proposal Drives Regulation of HFC Phasedown in HVACR
Since the passing of the American Innovation & Manufacturing Act (AIM Act) in 2020, the HVACR industry has anxiously awaited direction from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the framework of its hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant phasedown. In December, the EPA put some of this uncertainty to rest, releasing a new proposal that, if approved, would mandate new global warming potential (GWP) limits across HVACR sectors. Although it aligns with many industry recommendations, the proposed compliance dates are earlier than expected: with low-GWP limits on new commercial refrigeration equipment (CRE) set to begin in 2025.
Evaluating the ROI of Supermarket Sustainability Efforts
The spectrum of supermarket sustainability concerns has expanded significantly in recent years. As more
retailers set short- and long-term sustainability targets, many are evaluating opportunities to reduce their
carbon footprints while earning a return on investment (ROI). In a recent article for Progressive Grocer, I
explored how retailers are defining and pursuing their sustainability goals while exploring opportunities to
monetize their decarbonization efforts.
Copeland™ Takes Home AHR Innovation Awards for Compression Technologies
Copeland compression technology has been recognized for efforts which push the envelope of innovation and raise the bar for performance via the development of environmentally friendly refrigeration, heating and cooling technologies.
Overcoming the Technological Barriers to Wider Heat Pump Adoption
A global evolution in the technologies that provide comfort space/water heating and power industrial boilers/furnaces is underway. According to the International Energy Association (IEA), heating for homes, commercial buildings, industry, and related applications accounts for half of all global energy consumption. In the quest for eco-friendly alternatives, electric heat pump technologies have been identified as a proven strategy for transitioning from legacy, fossil fuel-intensive heating technologies.
How U.S. Climate Legislation Is Driving Adoption of Sustainable Heat Pump Solutions
Along the journey to a future that’s based on more sustainable technologies, comfort heating and cooling systems have been identified as significant opportunities for decarbonization. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 13 percent of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be attributed to commercial and residential heating and cooling — particularly from burning fossil fuels for heating.
The Future of Heating and Cooling is Electric…so Why isn’t U.S. Heat Pump Adoption Growing Faster?
When it comes to heating and cooling homes and businesses, there’s a solution that saves consumers money and makes a difference for the planet: the heat pump.
Addressing HVACR’s Skills Gap; Promoting Exciting Trade Career Opportunities
Emerson industry experts discussed the urgency with which our industry must recruit the next generation of HVACR technicians to replace the growing number of retiring professionals and fill the upcoming skills gap. It was noted during the discussion that baby boomers are retiring, and there simply aren’t enough students or new job seekers to replace them.
Seven Keys to Demystifying CO2 Refrigeration
Although CO2 refrigeration has been a known commodity on the world stage for many decades, most supermarket owners, operators and service technicians in the U.S. have had very little (if any) exposure to it.
Tools for Delivering Perishable Food Freshness This Holiday Season
For growers of fresh produce and suppliers of holiday protein staples like turkey and ham, it can be a particularly challenging season to maintain product quality and ensure food safety for their customers.
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[Webinar Recap] Five Ways to Improve Cold Chain Oversight
For perishable cold chain stakeholders, preserving the quality and integrity of goods throughout every step of the journey is imperative to their operational and financial success.
How New Innovations in Universal Parts are Saving HVAC Contractors Time, Money and Headaches
One of the biggest challenges faced by contractors today is balancing the abundance of service calls with the shortage of hours in the day. This issue is compounded by the fact that there are roughly 80,000 HVAC technician jobs currently unfilled and thousands more being lost due to retirement and career changes.
Five Steps to Implementing Effective Retail Energy Management Programs
Five steps retailers should consider for achieving a successful implementation of an energy management program that drives efficiencies and reduces costs.
Data-driven Solutions to Trucking Industry Challenges
As an indispensable link in the perishable food cold chain, the trucking industry helps to transport fresh produce, floral, seafood, protein meats and frozen goods from producers to cold storage facilities, restaurants and grocery stores. But for more than two years,...
STEM Day Inspires the Next Generation of Engineers
Every year on November 8, Emerson joins the rest of the country to celebrate National STEM Day and focus on the importance of educating our youth about science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEM/STEAM). Although our commitment to STEM is supported by...
5 Best Practices for Reducing Refrigerant Leaks
The goal of minimizing refrigerant leaks in commercial refrigeration systems has always been a worthwhile endeavor for food retailers. Leaky systems can negatively impact performance, potentially causing cases to warm, product quality to suffer, and energy efficiency...
Considerations for Sizing and Selecting Condensing Units for WICFs
Walk-in coolers and freezers (WICFs) are designed to support a wide range of commercial and industrial uses. Because of this application diversity, it’s important to select remote condensing units (CUs) capable of delivering the required refrigeration load, system reliability and optimum energy efficiency.