Every time I walk through a supermarket I take a look at the refrigeration and freezer cases. I want to see how well they are holding the temperature they should be holding. But from time to time, I realize that aspect of refrigeration is but a small part of how important it is to keep cold things cold.

‘Tis the season more people pay attention to refrigeration — the natural kind.

In late 2010, Sprouts Farmers Market set out to meet the EPA’s most stringent GreenChill standards with construction of its Thousand Oaks, Calif., store. Sprouts tapped Hill Phoenix to design a refrigeration system that not only would be environmentally friendly, but also energy efficient and cost effective to install and maintain.

The ongoing approval process to bring online an innovative approach to dealing with refrigerants that have reached the end of their useful life has taken another step forward.

While the word “refrigerant” isn’t normally the first thing one thinks of when Thailand is mentioned (can you say “Pad Thai” or “Tom Yum soup”?), interestingly the two intersected at an event.

When mechanical refrigeration came along, refrigerants such as sulfur dioxide and ammonia and the fluorocarbons were introduced. The latter two — ammonia and f-gases — are still being used. Of the fluorocarbons, the choices were pretty simple: CFCs -11, -12, and -502. It is not so simple these days.

Trying to go green — or even stay green — in tough economic times is a challenge. This became especially apparent to me during the month of September when I traveled to a couple of quite diverse industry events.

The ability of a wholesaler to grow a business and gain market share requires a multi-dimensional strategic plan that encompasses generating, managing, and sustaining growth. 

In the green movement, the most measureable aspect is the LEED — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — certification program. There is a need for HVACR contractors to fit into the mix of trades. Is it worth it? Well, it depends on who within the HVACR sector you talk to.

While manufacturers continue to look at ways to make HVACR equipment as energy efficient as possible, just as much attention is being paid to finding ways to get that equipment off the electric grid and powered as much as possible by such alternative energy sources as solar, wind, photovoltaic (PV), and geothermal.