The manufacturing stars of The NEWS’ 2008 fifth annual Dealer Design Awards outshine the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Honored in 13 separate categories for excellence in design and application, 99 company brands competed to earn a top place not only in the contest, but also in the local contractor’s stockroom.
Now that even tighter energy consumption standards will take effect in 2010 as a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the race to produce the most energy-efficient refrigerators, freezers, and ice machines will be even more competitive.
Ice machine refrigeration tuning is precise, with very close tolerances required. Because of the precision required, components like head pressure regulating valves and thermostatic expansion valves (TXVs) in most ice machines have factory-fixed settings, and faulty parts require replacement rather than adjustment.
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show had more than 2,200 exhibitors showing wares to more than 70,000 attendees. Given that many exhibitors, there was plenty of new technology in the refrigeration sector including those related to ice machines, walk-ins, and reach-ins.
Phaseout of HCFCs such as R-22 continues, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also continues to tweak and fine-tune certain aspects of the process. The agency held a half-day summit for stakeholders in the phaseout, so that brought manufacturers and trade associations to Washington, D.C.
If you think the federal tax code is complex, try figuring out what is and what is not allowed when it comes to cleaning ductwork. It is making even the most competent and experienced in the field shake their heads. Making things more complicated is the fact that regulations are, for the most part, different in each state.
Just as there is concern in the air conditioning sector over the changeover away from R-22, there are similar fears that too much of that refrigerant is still being used on the refrigeration side.
Repairing refrigeration and air conditioning systems is not always an easy task. Occasionally technicians will encounter multiple problems on one system. If all of these problems are not initially discovered and resolved, the unresolved ones could lead to problems and more costly repairs.
This is the third in a series of columns on systematic air conditioning troubleshooting and diagnostics. This column deals with liquid subcooling, liquid and suction line restrictions, overcharges, and undercharges.
Deciding what to do with recovered refrigerant presents contractors with a question - to vent or not to vent? With recovered refrigerant, ensuring that it is cleaned to ARI 700 purity standards is another challenge.
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