Why does this matter? Because R-22 is being phased out. As of January 1, 2010, manufacturers of heat pumps and air conditioning units were prohibited from producing new equipment using R-22. While the refrigerant may be efficient, it is also a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant, containing chlorine. When R-22 is released into the atmosphere, it depletes the ozone layer. So to protect and hopefully repair the ozone layer and reduce incidences of skin cancer and cataracts, the production and import of R-22 coolant is being phased out. According to the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental agreement, the United States is to cut its consumption of R-22 by 90% by 2015 and eliminate its use entirely by 2030.
And some companies are taking the news harder than others.
Smuggling Foreign Gas for Air-Conditioners
Marcone, one of the nation’s largest authorized sources for appliance parts, was caught smuggling $500,000 of R-22 from China. You see, while the refrigerant is being phased out in the U.S., it is still being produced and sold at rock bottom prices in countries like China, India, and Mexico, just to name a few. So when the news of the R-22 phaseout reached Marcone, the company’s vice president, Carlos Garcia, had an idea. Garcia started smuggling R-22 from several of the above countries, selling the smuggled gas to HVAC repairmen and contractors.
Unfortunately for Garcia and Marcone, importing R-22 without approval violates international treaties and United States law and regulations. And on June 26, Garcia was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison, after several wiretaps uncovered the smuggler’s underground R-22 operation.
How to Prepare for the Coolant Phaseout
Luckily, your company does not have to resort to smuggling to deal with the R-22 phaseout. As R-22 prices increase and supply diminishes, there are several ways to help your company cope with the phaseout, including:
1. Forecast your ongoing requirements for R-22 by keeping accurate maintenance records and tracking your refrigerant usage.
2. Develop a plan and timeframe to start changing out your HVAC equipment to newer systems that don’t use R-22.
3. Replace problematic HVAC systems and systems nearing the end of their life expectancy.
4. For mission-critical data center applications, purchase redundant CRAC equipment.
5. Sign preventive maintenance agreements with service companies such as Crockett Facilities Services that have stockpiled R-22 to buffer price increases.
For more information, please contact Crockett Facilities Services by calling 301.262.2771 or click here today!
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Source: As Coolant Is Phased Out, Smugglers Reap Large Profits