Floor Talk Focuses On R-22 And R-134a
About R-22
Regarding R-22, equipment manufacturers are required by law to end production of units with that refrigerant as of Jan. 1, 2010. Domestic production of the R-22 refrigerant itself has to end as of Jan. 1, 2020.But apparently any R-22 equipment manufactured before 2010 can be put into the distribution pipeline after that date. And any R-22 refrigerant manufactured before 2020 can be distributed after 2020.
Two factors do enter into the equation, and they go back to Economics 101 - supply and demand. And both of those are factors for you, the contractor, to consider.
Yes, you may be able to get R-22 units and refrigerant after the respective 2010 and 2020 dates, but for how long? If your demand outpaces the inventoried supply, that access may be short-lived.
Adding to the complexity of the issue is the fact that unitary manufacturers, who already have HFC-410A units available, will soon begin ramping up production of such equipment to be out of HCFCs by 2010. That may mean a corresponding reduction in the number of R-22 units coming off the assembly line over the next few years. Refrigerant manufacturers are already under a mandated phaseout of R-22.
The year 2015 is the so-called "crunch year" when refrigerant manufacturers sense demand overtaking supply - if not before.
Conversations with contractors revealed for the most part no plans to move from R-22 in the near future. But all the same, the industry is collectively calling for contractors to seriously investigate a move to R-410A equipment. Such equipment is now available. There is a learning curve in installation and service, but now is the time to reduce the curve.
Supplies Of R-134a
The issue at the expo concerning R-134a involved long-term and short-term supplies. A recurring phrase heard at booths of refrigerant manufacturers was, "Got any R-134a?"Demand for that HFC has been on the rise due to the rapidly growing market in Asia, a booming automotive air conditioning sector both in the United States and Europe, and increasing interest in R-134a in the U.S. HVACR industry. Production capacity is pretty much at the maximum, with no plans to bring any new plants on line.
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In the short term, there are some periodic plant disruptions, which will be corrected, but not to the extent to significantly curb the supply issue. The gist of what I heard on the show floor is that contractors should be able to get R-134a - but at what price? There could also be some spot shortages.
One Final Thought
As I was mulling over this information while walking the floor, I went past the booth of Refrigeration Research (www.refresearch.com). The company was showing two refrigerators dating from the 1930s - the Crosley Shelvador and Icy Ball.Although not running at the expo, booth personnel said they still operated just fine back at the company's museum in Brighton, Mich. - operating because they have always been properly maintained and kept leak tight.
And that may be the best advice for contractors facing any concerns over equipment and refrigerants. Keep a system tight and running well, and you can get a lot of life out of it.
Peter Powell is refrigeration editor. He can be reached at 847-622-7260, 847-622-7266 (fax), or peterpowell@achrnews.com.
Publication date: 02/28/2005