Recently, the Trump administration announced plans to defund Energy Star. The administration claims it is not a priority for taxpayer dollars and actually lumps it into the category of ‘lower priority and poorly performing programs.’ But, 25 years of Energy Star experience tells a much different tale.
Americans should be allowed to choose the products they’d like regardless how efficient or inefficient they are. That’s how capitalism works, right? Shouldn’t consumers do their own research rather than rely on the government to tell them what to buy?
Compliance with the EPA’s 608 is a mandatory part of HVAC contracting. Techs are required to gain certification by an EPA-approved organization and pass their tests or else they are unqualified to work in the field.
Of course, reclaimers can only reclaim what contractors and technicians recover, and while the R-22 numbers may never match the hoped-for projections, the industry is already looking to the future and preparing to address new challenges in a post-hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) world that also is likely facing a phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
While it appears regulations will be vetted more carefully under Trump’s administration, it appears contractors are divided on which regulation they would like to see eliminated first.
If we’re going to make America great again; if we’re going to keep jobs here, we have got to teach people trades again. And we will. We will. Send your kids to trade school. Teach them a trade. If they want to go on to get a four-year degree, they can. They can pay for it with the money they earned in their trade.
Arkema’s Forane® 449B (R-449B) refrigerant has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in multiple refrigeration applications under the agency’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program.