Experienced service technicians still find refrigerant leak detection in HVAC and RAC systems to be tedious and difficult because of the fact that a leak can be hidden from view by a component, a tubing, or even an operating switch. With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation documented in The U.S. Clean Air Act (Sections 608 & 609), refrigerant leak detection takes on great urgency. Regulations are intended to lower greenhouse gas emissions which are very harmful to the environment. As such, the new government rules no longer give service technicians the option of adding refrigerant when the system is low due to a leak. Rather, the leak has to be found and fixed within a specified period of time. There are numerous types of testing equipment that can be used in refrigerant leak detection, some of it automated and others acting as sniffers for on site testing. To find the leak, service technicians have to determine the best method to use. Methods include a soap solution, a halide torch, dye interception, isolation of a component from the system, or pressurizing the system with dry nitrogen gas. All of these methods take time and money, which can turn into a very expensive service call. An alternative is by using a refrigerant management software which identifies the source of leak through tracking service events in time to be able to establish trends in implementing an automated leak detection technology. One of the fastest methods which can be used in refrigerant leak detection is an electronic leak detector. Leaks of HCFCs and CFCs can be found using refrigerant leak detectors. Quick identification of a leak is important because the release of these gases is heavily regulated by the EPA, with companies subject to fines if their emissions are not fixed within a certain time frame. There are refrigerant gas management software which can help in the detection of refrigerant leaks. Such systems will be able to provide companies important details on the performance of its heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) systems, monitor and detect refrigerant gas leaks, provide reports on refrigerant use, and accurately keep records on maintenance and repair. Regulations on refrigerant leak detection describes and governs the proper repair of a leak and appropriate disposal of any refrigerant system which can't be repaired. These extensive requirements are in force in the United States, as well as several foreign countries. The treaties set forth a worldwide response to improving and protecting the planet. Quick action of refrigerant leak detection is a great importance to the environment. Refrigerant gases are identified to cause damage to the ozone layer which have high global warming potential. To comply with environmental standards, many companies are investing in a refrigerant management program to monitor and track equipment usage. Because of environmental and cost concerns related to refrigerant leak detection, many facilities with systems that use refrigerants are relying on refrigerant tracker applications. A refrigerant tracker monitors refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems around the clock and instantly detects the location of any leaks. Studies show that commercial and industrial facilities can save thousands of dollars a year by monitoring systems for leaks.
Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
