Eurammon - a joint European initiative of companies, individuals, and institutions who advocate natural refrigerants - is calling for entries for the Natural Refrigeration Award which will be presented to the best scientific dissertation in the field of natural refrigerants.

When a refrigeration system fails, many times the cause can easily be diagnosed. However there are occasions when the cause cannot easily be determined - either the true cause is unclear or the technician is unsure of a problem. How do you work through these jobs? One method used by some techs is to “read and record.”

After 85 years, it takes more than cosmetics to keep a publication fresh; the right attitude needs to permeate the organization. “This publication, The NEWS, was started by my great-grandfather in 1926,” said BNP Media co-CEO Taggart Henderson.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a final rule establishing federal test procedures for walk-in coolers and freezers. In the rule, DOE adopted by reference Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Standard 1250 (I–P)–2009, ‘‘Standard for Performance Rating of Walk-In Coolers and Freezers.”

The pendulum in terms of ice machines has been swinging back and forth between complex to basic systems. Sometimes the trend was to the complex with detailed diagnostics. The swing to basic brought simple systems designed to run efficiently. But now there is a new level of up front high tech developments to make things simpler down the line.

A sign at one of the booths at the National Restaurant Association Show stated: “Being on the Food Page is Good. Being on the Front Page is Bad.” That concern was certainly the focus of the refrigeration-related exhibitors where drink and food safety were reflected in the quality of ice and the effectiveness of freezers and coolers.

Aside from the fact that an entire separate section of McCormick Place was turned into a tasting room for the International Wine, Spirits, and Beer Event, the main floor at the National Restaurant Association expo had a number of exhibitors showing ways to deal with an apparent growing interest in wine.

A service technician from Austin, Texas, has been awarded Certificate Member (CM) status from the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES).

While changes are a natural part of the refrigeration business, there are some constants that remain the same, namely the importance of timely customer service, parts availability, and technical expertise.

FROSTlines is an enewsletter specifically for those in the refrigeration sector, the ‘R’ in HVACR.