A district heating scheme in Finland has harnessed waste heat generated by a computer center to heat homes. The project uses an advanced heat pump system based on high-performance Bitzer compressors.

It may be that different levels of RDL are set in the same way that a driving license here [in Europe] allows you to drive a car or a small van up to a certain level, but to drive a bigger van or a motorbike requires some further testing or qualifications. It’s early days in our discussions, and there are a number of big issues to iron out before the project starts looking at any conclusion.

Those involved at the sharp end of refrigerants and testing have underlined warnings that F-Gas quotas and the forthcoming bans are on course to create serious supply issues for end users and equipment manufacturers alike — if they don’t plan ahead.

European contractors and manufacturers have united against the European Union’s forthcoming Energy Labelling Directive review, which looks to apply the energy consumption rating found on TVs and washing machines to refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) products.

Natural refrigeration technology is gaining traction with end users, yet, despite technological successes, there are still challenges to overcome in the form of regulatory obstacles and skill shortages.

HRP has reported that its fgasman.co.uk website, launched in December, has proved popular with United Kingdom contractors. Some 2,500 have registered their details to be able to purchase F-gases legally. Over 100 visits a day have been recorded and a wide range of questions posed for F-Gasman.

Industry sources in the United Kingdom have raised concern over so-called “easy install” air conditioning units containing HFCs, which are being marketed at non-refrigeration engineers, despite F-gas concerns.

In 2013, the world air conditioning market was valued at $91.6 billion, having grown more than 6 percent compared with $86.8 billion in 2012 — evidence that the global a/c market is finally out of the woods. 

Energy that is recovered can be used in another part of the process or can be converted to “high value” electrical power. A technology that can achieve the latter is the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC).

Europe is now only a year away from a total ban on R-22 and other hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). And the European HVAC industry has to act fast to get the message across to customers.