Refrigerant Leaks Result in Business and Environmental Issues

By: Daniel Stouffer Click author's name for more of his/her articles

A refrigerant leak in refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems becomes a great concern for companies because refrigerant gases that escape are extremely harmful to the environment. For that reason, a refrigerant management program is an important tool for monitoring and maintaining valuable business assets.

There are many factors that could lead to a refrigerant leak in a refrigeration and air-conditioning (AC RAC) system or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A refrigerant leak is difficult to find manually, so many facilities use refrigerant management systems. The computerized systems find leaks in refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; even if they are hidden in a series of tubing that is hundreds of feet long, in an area that is hard to access, or around a pressure switch.

When a refrigerant leak occurs, it causes thousands of pounds of gases with ozone depleting substances (ODS) to escape into the air. Among them are hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), gases which are harmful to the environment and have a high global warming (GWP) potential.

Finding a refrigerant leak could prove difficult because refrigeration and air-conditioning (AC) systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are so complex. The cause of the refrigerant leak could be embedded in a series of tubing that is hundreds of feet long or in an area that is difficult to see or access.

A refrigerant leak could even be in a pressure switch or other operating or safety control. Often refrigerant leaks and the unintentional venting of gas are difficult to find or detect in large, commercial HVAC-R systems, progressive organizations use automated refrigerant management systems. These systems continuously monitor the system and can detect exactly where a leak originates. The results are easily displayed on a monitor for a quick resolution.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set strict standards for regulating and monitoring a refrigerant leak. The Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocols were both created to establish similar environmental standards internationally. These regulations include protocols for repairing refrigerant leaks or disposing of systems within a certain time frame.

These multifaceted regulations require facility managers to submit comprehensive reporting records. Because of the complexity of the requirements, many building managers rely on refrigerant management programs, such as those offered by clean-tech development firms, for better facility oversight.

A refrigerant tracking solution allows facilities to keep accurate refrigerant usage records and properly report a refrigerant leak. A refrigerant tracking solution also enables a company to remain in compliance with state, governmental, and international protocols as they relate to the submission of refrigerant usage records and specific refrigerant reporting periods.

Because a refrigerant leak releases fluorinated greenhouses gases that are harmful to the environment, refrigerant management programs have become essential to companies, building or facility managers, and compliance officers. Refrigerant monitoring and tracking processes track HVAC-R systems that lead and empower service professionals to repair a faulty system before gases are vented. Refrigerant management programs are much faster and accurate than manual systems.

A refrigerant management program offers a number of benefits, including tracking a refrigerant leak. A facility manager or environmental compliance officer can monitor, track, and manage the registration and reporting of refrigerant gas usage across many HVAC-R systems with the proper centralized application. This type of management tool enables companies to work more efficiently and cost-effectively in the facilities management area.

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About The Author: Daniel Stouffer, Product Manager at Verisae, has much more detail on the importance of effective refrigerant gas leak detection and management in accordance with EPA and California Air Resources Board regulations. Refrigerant Tracker makes it easy to monitor, manage, and report refrigerant gas usage. Learn more at: www.Refrigerant-Tracker.com