There have been jokes in the HVAC industry about smuggling R-22 ever since the refrigerant phasedown was announced, but a Texas man isn’t laughing after getting sentenced for doing just that.
While some may be concerned over whether recovery and reclamation efforts will be sufficient to meet the industry’s needs going forward, reclaimers are adamant that R-22 is still widely available, affordable, and legal.
The rink at Mars Lakeview Arena in Duluth, Minnesota, maintained a full-size ice sheet with 1,750 pounds of R-22. The converted DX chiller system runs on a non-ozone depleting, low-GWP refrigerant , R-449A.
Will Gresham, executive vice president, Dynatemp Intl., said the company plans to focus on its revamped reclamation program, partner wholesalers, and education this year.
In Aspen Refrigerant’s booth, the message to the industry was quite clear: R-22 is readily available and will be legal to use, buy, and sell for years to come.
On Demand Learn more about how Chemours, along with project partners Copeland and Heatcraft, collaborated on a ground-breaking project to replace an aging R-22 system with a sustainable commercial A2L refrigeration system.