Topic
Refrigeration
SPX announces purchase of SGS Refrigeration Inc.
August 12, 2019SPX Corporation has completed the acquisition of SGS Refrigeration Inc., based in Dixon, IL. SGS is a manufacturer and distributor of industrial refrigeration products in the North American market. “We are excited about SGS joining the SPX team,” said Gene…
World’s largest convenience retailer adopts lower GWP refrigerant alternative
July 29, 2019Honeywell and 7-Eleven Inc. have announced the adoption of Honeywell Solstice N40 (R-448A) refrigerant as 7-Eleven’s standard for remote condensers supporting its refrigeration cases installed across Canada and the United States. 7-Eleven also selected Honeywell’s lower global warming potential (GWP)…
ASHRAE updates online hub for refrigeration technology
June 6, 2019ASHRAE has launched a webpage dedicated to refrigeration technology and its application. The webpage standards, design guides and ASHRAE courses. During her term, 2018-2019 ASHRAE president Sheila Hayter, appointed Trent Hunt, region IX director and regional chair, to oversee a…
Is your client’s compressor ready for the summer heat?
May 28, 2019 by Dave DemmaOther than the cost there are no serious arguments against performing preventive maintenance on air-conditioning and/or refrigeration equipment. And to the customers who would balk at paying a qualified technician to merely “maintain” their equipment, the only response to them…
Making the case for modular chillers
March 20, 2019 by Dave DemmaModular, in terms of manufacturing, is not a new concept. There is a certain logic to it: manufacturing cataloged production models rather than custom models is certainly more cost effective, and building and/or assembling in a manufacturing plant versus onsite…
Tips for walk-in box maintenance
March 2, 2019 by Dave DemmaWalk-in boxes are an essential component of commercial applications such as convenience stores, grocery stores and restaurants. Without them it would be difficult for these businesses to maintain a steady supply of products that require refrigeration, either to maintain their…
A-Gas is heading north
February 25, 2019Refrigerant company A-Gas Americas has announced its expansion in the Canadian market in February, along with new leadership in the region. Louise McCann, managing director of A-Gas, said the company has “strong relationships within Canada, having participated in the reclaim…
Refrigeration institute to host 25th congress in Montreal, QC
February 5, 2019Refrigeration industry professionals are set to converge at the Montreal Convention Centre this August. The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is will host its 25th International Congress of Refrigeration in Montreal, QC from August 24 to 30, 2019. Plenary speaker…
United Technologies to spin off Carrier in company split
December 10, 2018United Technologies Corp. on November 26 announced the completion of its Rockwell Collins acquisition and plans to separate into three independent companies. Otis, a manufacturer of elevators, escalators and moving walkways, is to become the second independent business after UTC’s…
What to do about that pesky R-22 chiller: Part II
December 7, 2018 by Dave DemmaIn Part I, which appeared in HPAC October 2018, the various considerations prior to undertaking a chiller conversion were discussed. What follows is a simple (or maybe not so simple) step-by-step procedure for actually converting a R-22 chiller. Systems not…
Danfoss acquires industrial automation control products supplier
December 4, 2018Danfoss has acquired Pennsylvania-based AAIM Controls Inc., a supplier of custom-designed regulation and control automation solutions. With the purchase, Danfoss hopes to enter the industrial refrigeration market as a systems provider. “By adding electronic regulation and control automation to our…
U.S. manufacturer approves low GWP for Honeywell refrigerant
November 16, 2018Michigan-based Tecumseh Products Company has approved Honeywell’s Solstice N40 refrigerant with a lower global warming potential following “extensive testing.” The refrigerant was approved for use in the reciprocating compressors used in Tecumseh’s global commercial refrigerant systems. Solstice N40 aims to…
What to do about that pesky R-22 chiller: Part I
November 7, 2018 by Dave DemmaWhile there have not been any widespread shortages of R-22 to date, the price has certainly been reflective of a reduced supply. With a complete ban on new R-22 (either imported or manufactured) beginning January 2020, the supply will continue…
Technical Safety BC releases Investigation Report into 2017 fatal incident at Fernie Memorial Arena
July 25, 2018Technical Safety BC has released its investigation report into the ammonia release at Fernie Memorial Arena on October 17, 2017, which resulted in three fatalities, as well as the evacuation of 95 residents from 55 nearby homes. The report provides…
Chemours expands in North America with purchase of Indiana ACR company
April 13, 2018Chemours has acquired Indiana-based Icor International, a privately-owned manufacturer and supplier of ozone safe air conditioning and refrigerant products. According to Chemours, the acquisition will allow it to expand in North America and meet customer needs. “Icor has developed an…
ASHRAE calls on speakers for 2019 refrigerant webcast
April 3, 2018ASHRAE’s Chapter Technology Transfer Committee (CTTC) has called for presenters for its 2019 webcast: The Future of Refrigerants in Unitary and VRF Systems. The webcast will examine how air-conditioning system configurations will adapt to worldwide regulations and advancements in refrigerant…
Refrigerant Management Canada receives new online home
March 27, 2018Refrigerant Management Canada (RMC) has launched a new website under HRAI’s domain. The website includes links to two videos: RMC Annual Report 2016 and Refrigerant Management for Contractors. A search tool allows users to find nearby RMC wholesaler locations. A…
Making the transition to low GWP refrigerants
March 4, 2018 by Brian S. SmithCurrently, the HVAC/R industry is undergoing a third paradigm shift in regulating refrigerants–this time the transition is specifically aimed at addressing climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. The earlier two transitions from CFCs to HCFCs, then from HCFCs to HFCs,…
Arkema’s Forane® 427A, 407A, 407C and 410A: The right options for R-22
March 1, 2018www.forane-us.com
Event to host largest ever education program
December 20, 2017 by Kerry TurnerThe 2018 ASHRAE Winter Conference takes place January 20-24 at the Palmer House Chicago with the co-sponsored AHR Expo being held January 22-24 at McCormick Place. The AHR Expo seminar program features over 120 sessions, including over 70 free one-…
Mexichem launches lower GWP refrigerant Klea 407H
December 15, 2017Mexichem has launched Klea 407H in partnership with Daikin. Klea 407H is intended to replace refrigerants R404A or R507 as a lower GWP alternative in medium and low temperature applications. It has a GWP of 1495. Starting in the new…
Steps to Ammonia System Safety
December 15, 2017 by Dave DemmaAmmonia is a colourless gas, composed of one nitrogen molecule and three hydrogen molecules. It is produced naturally in the human body, as well as in nature (water, soil, air and so on). It has a very distinct pungent odour,…
HFC phase down schedule revised in ODS and Halocarbon Alternatives regulations
November 24, 2017Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) published the final revisions to the federal ODS and Halocarbon Alternatives regulations concerning control of HFCs in Canada Gazette II on October 18, 2017. These revisions come into force 180 days after the date…
ASHRAE offers residential and refrigerants “Mini-Tracks” at AHR Expo
November 23, 2017ASHRAE will present a series of refrigerant and residential building “mini-track” seminars at the 2018 AHR Expo. The 2018 ASHRAE Winter Conference takes place January 20-24 at the Palmer House Chicago with the co-sponsored AHR Expo being held January 22-24…
Call for contractors with natural refrigerant expertise
November 17, 2017The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC), is working to remove the barriers to adopting natural refrigerants such as CO2, ammonia and propane in food refrigeration in the grocery sector. NASRC has been hearing repeatedly from end-user retailers that while…
Albertan takes home medallion of excellence from WorldSkills Competition
November 5, 2017By Michael Power “In the blink of an eye it’s all over.” That’s how Ryan Matsuba describes the experience of competing with Team Canada in the WorldSkills International Competition. Matsuba won a Medallion of Excellence at the competition, which requires…
Contemplating a chiller replacement?
October 18, 2017 by Dave DemmaWhen I was in high school, the cost of gasoline was seldom of concern. I drove a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, with a modified 409 engine in it, and I do not think I ever thought to check what the…
Change is in the air
September 10, 2017 by Michael PowerAttendance ramped up compared to last year for the 49th-annual conference of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) in Quebec City. Held August 16-18, the event saw changes to the organization that included Bruce Passmore appointed…
How to properly apply a TEV for a given application
August 23, 2017 by Dave DemmaIn my travels I have many opportunities to visit and interact with HVAC/R contractors. In the course of these visits, a frequent topic of discussion is refrigerant conversions. After the typical “what’s the best replacement for R-22”, and “do we…
Bacharach, Inc. finalizes acquisition of competitor Parasense
May 19, 2017Bacharach, Inc., global manufacturer of refrigerant gas leak detection and monitoring instruments, and combustion and emissions analyzers, has announced the completion of the acquisition of Parasense, Inc. A privately-owned ISO 9001:2008 accredited small business provider of engineering and technical services, Parasense…