WHAT’S IN A NUMBER?

In a follow up to the article in the October‑November issue on refrigerant names, Graeme Dewerson explains the significance of GWP.

WHAT IS GWP?

GWP refers to global warming potential and is a measurement of how much global warming a molecule will deliver if released into the atmosphere. It is particularly relevant to refrigerants, because many widely used synthetic refrigerants have high GWP values and are referred to as “super” greenhouse gases.

The most common greenhouse gas that humans emit is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is produced from the combustion of fossil fuels for power generation, space heating, cooking and from vehicle engines. It is by far the largest contributor to global warming CO2 and is therefore the focus of international efforts to combat climate change. Accordingly, it is used as the yardstick that all other global warming chemicals are measured against. It has a GWP of 1.

When you see a GWP value such as 3,922 for R404A, this means that 1kg of R404A causes the same global warming as 3,922kg of CO2 if released into the atmosphere. When a refrigeration technician walks out of a wholesaler with a 12kg cylinder of R404A, they are actually carrying the equivalent of over 47 tonnes of CO2!

HOW IS GWP CALCULATED?

GWP values are calculated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations body that assesses the science related to climate change. The values reflect the amount of time a chemical resides in the atmosphere before it naturally breaks down (atmospheric residence), and the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation that it absorbs. Due to the complex nature of atmospheric chemistry and the long atmospheric residence of many chemicals, climate science continues to evolve –and so do the GWP values of refrigerants.

The IPCC produces comprehensive “Assessment Reports” based on the most up to date climatic science; the IPCC is currently working on its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6).

To make matters more complicated, the measurement of GWP can also be carried out over different time horizons. Commonly used time horizons include 20 years and 100 years, which have starkly different GWP values.

WHICH GWP VALUES SHOULD I USE?

1,397

3,922

631

When choosing GWP values, the logical course of action is to use values that are relevant to our industry and the regulation that drives it. Australia is a signatory to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the international treaty that underpins our phase down of HFC refrigerants. The Montreal Protocol and Australian regulations use the 100 year GWP values from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). These are used to calculate import quotas for bulk refrigerant imports and are recognised throughout the industry as the official GWP values. It should be noted, however, that as climatic science evolves, the UN may migrate the Kigali Amendment to a more up to date Assessment Report. Equipment manufacturers should consider AR5 and AR6 GWP values within their strategic thinking.

1,387

605 466 148

5

Gwp Of Common Refrigerants

HFC refrigerants in common use

Refrigerant Safety class GWP (AR4 100-year)

1,430

HFO/HFC retrofit replacements with lower GWPs Refrigerant Safety class GWP (AR4 100-year) Replaces

A Changing Landscape

The transition towards more environmental refrigerants has seen the growth of lower GWP retrofit gases. These are designed to mimic the performance of commonly used HFC gases while maintaining an A1 safety class.

The use of natural refrigerants in new equipment is also a growing trend. Technology around their use is now mature.

HFO refrigerants have much lower GWP than HFCs due to a reduction in their stability, which results in significantly lower atmospheric residence times. HFO refrigerants and lower GWP HFO/HFC blends often have mild flammability and an A2L safety class.

Due to differences in performance, pressures and safety class, the “lower” and “very low” GWP alternatives tend to be used in new equipment and are not suitable for retrofit application.

1

Nsw Licence Update

RAC contractors and technicians in New South Wales have been scrambling to confirm whether they will need to apply for the new mechanical services licence, which goes live on March 1, 2023. More concerns arose after NSW Fair Trading sent an email to contractors indicating that the licence will be legally required by those “testing and commissioning mechanical heating, cooling or ventilation systems”.

In response, industry groups including AIRAH, RACCA and AMCA Australia have met with the NSW government to clarify the rules. They confirmed that people who already hold an air conditioning and refrigeration licence and are doing work within the scope of that licence, need not apply for a mechanical services licence.

“We have confirmed directly with NSW Fair Trading that if you hold an air conditioning and refrigeration licence, you can continue to do the work under that licence without needing a mechanical services licence,” says AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH. “This includes testing and commissioning of air conditioning systems.”

The information on the NSW Fair Trading website has been updated to clarify the requirements for air conditioning and refrigeration licence holders. Go to www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au ■

2 New Md At Testo

Testo has appointed Jason Mair as its new Managing Director. The company says it is looking forward to continued success and partnerships utilising his leadership and extensive experience.

Mair was formerly Head of Sales for SICK Pty Ltd, responsible for sales across Australia and New Zealand. Before that, he was responsible for the Product Management and Marketing teams, where he repositioned the Product and Market Management team from an operational to a strategic function.

Testo says Mair is a customer focused professional who excels in a team environment, removes barriers, empowers staff and builds meaningful relationships at all levels.

Mair describes himself as authentic, fun, hardworking, resilient and empathetic, and is also a Western Bulldogs supporter and club member of 31 years. He says his mission and vision for Testo is to create an environment where the business can exceed customers’ expectations. Go to www.testo.com.au ■

3 CHECK THE NOTICEBOARD!

There’s a new local resource site for the Southeast Queensland HVAC&R community: the HVACR Noticeboard. Founded by local mechanical engineer Wes Mergard, it has two purposes.

First, it provides a central online meeting place for Southeast Queensland to support and showcase the work of local HVAC&R industry leaders, in the forms of articles, posts, industry events, comprehensive resources and business/product listings.

“Similar to social media, you can share your advice, pose a burning industry question, upload a design or installation guide, announcement, product release or anything else the local HVAC&R industry can benefit from,” says Megard.

“Unlike social media, your content is local, curated by leaders in our industry, categorised, searchable and easy to find for years to come. We are about fostering alliances without the algorithms.”

The second purpose of HVACR Noticeboard is social impact, with 20 per cent of sales and 50 per cent of profits going directly to TIACS – a free and confidential counselling service for truckies, tradies, rural and blue collar workers and those that care about them Australia wide.

“HVACR Noticeboard is a ‘legend of TIACS partner’ in recognition of raising funding and awareness for TIACS,” says TIACS Head of Partnerships Jason Banks. ”We are stoked that each major supporter of this social enterprise sponsors a full 45 minute counselling session through TIACS – each year.”

Every major supporter will be recognised each year with a certificate of appreciation (see above) for the social impact they have made and supporting locals through this industry initiative. Go to www.hvacrnoticeboard.com.au ■

4 Installation Rules Changing In Sa

Installation rules for air conditioners functions are set to change in South Australia from July 1, 2023. From July 1, technicians must not install or connect certain air conditioners unless they comply with the demand response requirements in the Technical Regulator’s new guideline.

Air conditioners covered by these requirements include single phase, three‑phase and close control air conditioners with a cooling capacity of up to 19kW:

The requirements do not apply to evaporative or portable air conditioners, or air conditioners that plug into a mains socket/wall socket and don’t need to be installed via hard wiring.

“Installers will have a legal obligation to ensure that certain air conditioners comply with demand response requirements,” says SA’s Office of the Technical Regulator.

“It is critical to note that while these changes legally require certain air conditioners to have demand response capabilities, they do not require consumers to participate in demand response programs. Consumer participation in these programs is voluntary.”

The government has made available a suite of resources, and will hold in person and online information sessions in the lead‑up to the July 1 implementation date.

Go to bit.ly/3DS9tmM ■

5 A Burning Issue

The NSW government has made important changes to its fire safety regime to address shortcomings of the system.

The Fire Safety Regulation 2022, published in December 2022, requires engineers to seek comment from the Fire Commissioner when developing performance solutions for Class 2–9 buildings, ensuring that the NSW fire authority is more engaged in the design phase for proposed building works.

New templates and procedures have been introduced to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of fire safety schedules. And building owners must ensure that fire safety measures are maintained in line with AS 1851–2012, or, where a performance solution has been used, with the performance solution. Also, the commissioning of fire safety systems will need to be performed by an “accredited fire safety professional”, who must ensure not only that systems have been installed as per the design, but that they are performing correctly.

The Fire Safety Regulation forms part of the response to a report produced in 2021 that provided recommendations on how to improve fire safety in new and existing buildings.

Go to www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au ■

6 FUJITSU GOES OFF-GRID

Fujitsu General’s R32 Bulkhead Reverse Cycle Split Systems contributed to the aesthetic of a recent eco tourism project on a greenfield site in Inman Valley, South Australia.

Created by luxury accommodation business ESCA, the project involved two standalone resort style suites overlooking the Inman Valley to Encounter Bay and the Southern Ocean. The suites rely on their own energy infrastructure, including an off‑the grid system of solar panels and batteries. This required an air conditioning solution that met strict design and energy management criteria. It also had to successfully integrate with a Schneider automation system, which would trigger a welcome scene when guests checked in: opening blinds, setting mood lighting, and activating the air conditioner at a set temperature.

The Fujitsu units were, for the first time in Australia, successfully fitted with UTY TTRXZ1 thermostat converters that would allow the air conditioning system to integrate with each suite’s automated system. The converters connected to both the indoor unit bulkhead from one end and the Schneider supplied thermostat controller at the other end, allowing the units to be controlled via the Schneider thermostat controller and BMS.

Go to www.fujitsugeneral.com.au ■

7

Bronte Brings It Home Again

The Bronte series of wall mounted split system units from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air‑Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has been awarded the 2023 ProductReview Award for the best rated split system. This is the third year in a row that the Bronte series has received the award, having similarly taken out the 2021 and 2022 award alongside the company’s Avanti unit.

The ProductReview awards are independent, based on a determining criteria alongside independent judging from the ProductReview Data and content team. Award nominees meet a range of criteria – including a minimum average consumer rating of 4.1 stars with 10 or more reviews – after which the ProductReview team performs qualitative analyses and metric comparisons to gauge a sentiment score and determine the winner for each category.

With a 4.7 star rating from 577 consumer reviews, the Bronte series is the highest rated overall split system from the ProductReview community. Go to www.mhiaa.com.au ■

8

Reliable Network Grows

Reliable Controls has added a new dealer to its network: South Pacific Air Conditioning (SPAC), based in Papua New Guinea.

According to Reliable Controls Regional Sales Manager Jason Duncan, Affil.AIRAH, SPAC passed all the qualification requirements to be approved as a Reliable Controls Authorised Dealer.

“We are very excited about this new partnership and are looking forward to working together with SPAC and the people of Papua New Guinea to deliver quality building automation products and solutions that assist with making buildings safe, healthy, and comfortable with the minimum possible impact to the environment,” says Duncan. Reliable Controls Corporation has been developing the Reliable Controls Authorised Dealer network since 1986. The group is made up of locally owned independent controls contractors who sell, install, program, and service Reliable Controls products.

Authorised dealers must pass and maintain adherence to its stringent qualification guidelines. Reliable Controls says these guidelines ensure dealers are competent and deliver high standard projects and service.

Go to www.reliablecontrols.com ■

9 Ozone Saviours

A new report has confirmed that the ozone layer is recovering – and the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has hailed the role of Australia’s HVAC&R sector in making this happen.

The UN backed Scientific Assessment Panel to the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances delivered the news in its four‑yearly assessment report. It expects the ozone layer to recover to 1980 values (before the appearance of the ozone hole) by around 2066 over the Antarctic, by 2045 over the Arctic and by 2040 for the rest of the world.

ARC chief executive officer Glenn Evans says the recovery of the ozone layer is a credit to the global HVAC&R industry, and especially to Australia’s 125,000 licensed technicians and businesses.

“The Montreal Protocol came into force in 1989, and Australia has been in the forefront of applying it to the real world in refrigeration and air conditioning licensing,” he says.

“Our ARCtick licensing scheme operates under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995, and results such as the ozone layer recovery are the living proof of its value.

“Licensed technicians play a crucial role in protecting the environment from ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases in refrigeration equipment.”

According to Evans, since its inception, the licensing scheme has delivered more than 25Mt CO2e of direct emissions savings. ■

Name: Craig Fiander

Occupation: Mech plumber/ A Grade electrician

What’s the best thing about working in HVAC&R? The variety of work and solving issues. How long have you worked in the industry? I’m now in my 37th year.

What is the biggest thing that has changed about the industry since you started working in it? Technology – mobile phones and computers.

If someone wanted to find you on a worksite, they should look for the person who is … Walking around with plans under his left arm.

Favourite tool: Milwaukee battery tools. Best on-the-job advice you ever received: Never stop learning.

What’s the happiest a client has been with your work? Letters to the company with thanks.

Dream car: SLR 5000.

Dream holiday: Did it in 2015 – travelled the entire Route 66 USA.

Favourite smoko snack: Caramel slice, but only a few times a year.

What did you listen to on the way to work today? 3AW.

Sporting hero: Peter Brock.

When I’m not working I’m … Riding my adventure bike or getting away in my 4X4.