This led to concerns that higher prices would cause customers to repair their systems, rather than replace them, and a second round of price increases from some OEMs later in the summer magnified that concern.
At the symposium, industry experts from Danfoss, as well as refrigeration equipment manufacturers, end users, regulators, advocacy groups, and refrigerant producers came together to discuss some of the challenges facing the industry, as well as new technologies and megatrends that will impact every aspect of the commercial refrigeration market.
While the stronger economy is definitely good news for contractors, they are probably not too thrilled to see these record low unemployment numbers. As everyone knows, the HVACR industry is struggling with a severe shortage of skilled labor, and the problem is only getting worse.
From boilers to rooftop units to VRF systems, each technology offers a unique set of benefits sure to keep commercial customers — and their tenants — happy.
HFO blends are not drop-in refrigerants, and modifications usually have to be made to the equipment before they are used. However, following the guidelines from experts in the industry can help ensure a smooth transition.
When I first started writing about the HVACR industry more than 25 years ago, the term used to describe the harmful effects of refrigerant emissions in the atmosphere was ODP. After scientists discovered the hole in the ozone layer, they determined that it was caused by the chlorine in chemical compounds like CFCs, which were widely used in aerosols and refrigerants. They needed a measurement to describe the amount of ozone depletion caused by various substances, thus the term ODP was born.
Determining which refrigerant may work best for an application can be challenging. While larger supermarket and restaurant chains usually have in-house personnel who help make this decision, they often turn to their local contractors for their advice as well.
Grocery store owners and managers are increasingly utilizing the IoT in order to monitor the performance of their refrigeration equipment, so they can take immediate action should a problem arise.