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ACR Blogs

More diversity in the ACR industry

26/5/2016

 
Women in RACHP
Let’s face it, the air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump industry is male dominated. And, trying to encourage more women into the industry can seem like a struggle at times.
 
That’s why we started the Women in ACR series, to show that there are more women in our sector than people may think. The articles also show how diverse those women’s roles are in the ACR business.
 
Now, working with the Institute of Refrigeration, there is a new networking group for women to enable easier networking, sharing of ideas, learning and mentoring. It’s called ‘Women in RACHP’.
Join the LinkedIn Group here.

What do you do?

23/5/2016

 
Fridge Man - Pump House
​June Richardson, from Pump House Pumps, looks back at ten years in the ACR industry.

“You’re going to a trade show in Florida? “What is it you do, again?”

Have you ever tried to explain to someone out of the industry what you do for a living, only to receive a puzzled look? I have given up and now say I work in Sales.

Read More

The Decision is Up to EU

9/5/2016

 
Map of Europe
​By the time you read this, the referendum to remain or leave the European Union will almost be upon us and, whilst I am not here to persuade you one way or the other, I think there is no doubt that whatever the result, it is likely to have an impact of some sort on our industry.

​
On the one hand, you can argue that our industry suffers from too much red tape and perhaps leaving the union will free us all from bureaucracy – or will it simply take us back to a more unregulated, less safe industry?

Read More

Leak detection – Does it matter?

19/4/2016

 
Leak Detection
Leak Detection - what's your strategy?
Of course, that’s a stupid question. Leak detection is important and it matters. Most air conditioning or refrigeration systems will leak at some point in their lifetime. Some systems leak all the time.

Detecting where the leak is in the system can be a challenge. There are plenty of signs to show that a system is leaking (e.g. pressure drops, decreasing efficiency or, perhaps, the smell). To find the leak there are simple methods (e.g. soapy water), handy methods (e.g. handheld detectors), chemical systems and highly sophisticated methods (e.g. infrared). All are valid and have their pros and cons.

In addition, the EN378 legislation (Refrigerant Leak Prevention and Minimisation) is still evolving but it is close to completion. Unsurprisingly, EN378 has become a top topic on the ACR Journal website (see article here). 

And, the debates continue on which is the best solution or approach to preventing and curing refrigerant leaks. 

Which refrigerant leak detection and prevention methods do you use? 

Will Hawkins

Recognise Your Role in Saving the Planet

13/4/2016

 
Recognise Your Role in Saving the Planet
As an industry, we are fairly hidden from the ‘average’ person, who only notices the air conditioning or heating equipment we manufacture, install and maintain, when the weather makes it hotter or colder than usual.

Yet air conditioning engineers actually have a hugely important role to play in helping us all mitigate the effects of modern life on the environment.

There is now a pressing need to address rising fuel prices, climate change and energy security, and the UK Government is introducing tough legislation to help, but clearly, this can only go so far.

Read More

EN 378 Realities

11/3/2016

 
Graham Wright - President of HEVAC
Graham Wright - President of HEVAC
Picture
President of trade association HEVAC, Graham Wright, comments on an article on the ACR Journal magazine and website which highlights the advantages of a new Hybrid-VRF system.

I read the article on page 20 [ACR Journal  Dec/Jan 2016] issue of the  with interest and was somewhat concerned about the statement that highlighted BS EN 378 paragraph. 

The text is not only incorrect, it is completely misleading in the following aspects: 

EN378 deals with refrigeration safety and installation practices and is used by consultants and installers as good practice, it's worth noting that compliance is not mandatory. The text suggest that building owners will have to keep up to date with the standard and that this will be complex and difficult to do.  

Read More

Tomorrow’s engineers have a vital role to play

10/3/2016

 
Ben Bartle-Ross - Mitsubishi Electric
Ben Bartle-Ross - Mitsubishi Electric
​We recently attended the JTL National Awards in central London where this national training provider celebrates the best new apprentices, along with the companies that are supporting and encouraging them into the industry.

​As an HVAC manufacturer, we have recently engaged JTL to help us with our own national apprentice scheme and one thing that was apparent from the Awards was how much the focus has been on the electrical and plumbing side – and conversely, how little appears to have been done on the Aircon and refrigerant side.

​JTL is eager to work on this and we are now in conversation to see how we can encourage more focus on our side of the construction industry.

Read More

IOR Alternative Refrigerants learning programme goes from strength to strength

8/3/2016

 
IOR - Real Alternatives
This month the IOR has seen the 1000th person register for its free REAL Alternatives e-learning programme. 

Launched almost exactly one year ago the programme now boast an uptake of about 30 new learners a month, with a learning community spread across UK, Poland, Italy, Germany, France and Belgium.

​With the industry moving quickly towards the wider use of alternatives and the concerns that engineers have a good understanding of the fundamentals related to new refrigerants like HFOs or R32, as well as the traditional alternatives such as hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and ammonia, the programme has had a wide appeal.

Read More

Missing Young Engineers?

25/2/2016

 
Picture
By Will Hawkins - Editor

​Ask anyone in our industry about the lack of young people coming into the air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump industry and they will agree that it is a problem.


Not enough young people coming in to work as engineers and technicians means that businesses find it difficult to expand and fulfil customer orders. 

The belief is that our industry is made up of older men. If our website figures are anything to go by, the biggest group of readers is aged between 45 and 54 (26%, in fact). You might have expected that figure.

But, still, there is the worry about the lack of interest from young people in becoming refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump engineers. 

Or, is there a lack of interest?

Over 30% of our readers online are between 18 and 34. That number might surprise you. 
It suggests that we have got a lot interest from young people in our industry. We just don’t know how to engage with them properly.

There is a good initiative coming along this month to encourage young people into apprenticeships through the Trailblazer programme (more news soon on that topic). This is a positive step and will, hopefully, provide a clear pathway for young engineers looking for a career in our industry. 

How do you attract young engineers into your business?

Institute of Refrigeration Annual Conference - February 2016

19/2/2016

 
IOR Management team
The Institute of Refrigeration's management team
The Institute of Refrigeration held its annual conference at the NEC near Birmingham February. Here is a summary of the event the theme of which was 'Emissions, Energy and EcoDesign'. 

Topics included system design in the future as a consequence of the Ecodesign directive, end of life treatment for temperature exchange equipment, EN 378 changes and challenges, Ecodesign case studies, updates on emission reduction and a related case study.

Read More

Time for a Change

30/1/2016

 
F-gas and other topics
January is the season for a change for many people. Getting a new job or hiring new employees in January is normal in January. It’s no different for the ACR Journal. Our top two news stories online are about people who have changed jobs. 

It is also show season. The AHR Expo in the USA has happened, and The ACR Show in Birmingham is a matter of days away. Later this year, Chillventa is here again. All of this means we should see some interesting new solutions for the heating, ventilation, AC and refrigeration market. 

​However, the third most popular article online in January is about an old favourite – F-Gas. This topic continues to drive much of the new business in the market.

Read More

ACRIB Update: F-Gas Developments

20/1/2016

 
ACRIB logo
It appears to have been fairly quiet on the F Gas Regulation front in recent months but there have been some developments behind the scenes.
​

EPEE – the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment is conducting a useful study on how the regulation is being implemented across Member States and this is throwing up a number of issues, which will be fed back to the European Commission.

Read More

EN378 Refrigeration Safety Standard update

14/1/2016

 
Andy Pearson IOR
Andy Pearson
​It was reported at the IOR Technical Committee this month that after seven years of discussion and debate the process for the updating of EN378 is nearly complete.  

This length of time might seem difficult to defend in a time when refrigerant requirements are changing very rapidly, but the task has been complex and required the balancing of numerous competing requests for change (or in some cases no change).  It is difficult to see how the process could be significantly shortened without thoroughly exploring the technical implications of all viewpoints.  

Read More

Innovations in Heat Pumps and Cooling - The Integration Challenge

21/12/2015

 
On the 1st October 2015 the SIRACH network (Sustainable Innovation in Refrigeration Air conditioning and Heat pumps) visited Newcastle University and the Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research.

The event focused mainly on the opportunities, challenges and new solutions offered by district heating and cooling networks. It included technical presentations, an interactive facilitated group networking session and a tour of the Byker District Heating Site at Newcastle.
SIRACH Meeting Newcastle
Members of SIRACH at the Byker District heating scheme, Newcastle

Read More

What will 2016 bring?

21/12/2015

 
Change is consistent in everything we do and experience. Here are some 2016 predictions for change in the air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump industry. 
ACR Industry predictions 2016

Read More

How To Prevent Your Customer’s HVAC Unit From Overheating

21/12/2015

 
HVAC Unit maintenance
During warmer periods, air conditioners are pushed to the max, in order to keep their users cool and fresh. Unfortunately, HVAC systems have their limitations too and can quickly overheat if measures aren’t taken to prevent them running out of steam.

​Installers of these units need to know how to handle overheating systems and take steps to ensure any damage is minimised. Below is a list of common reasons HVAC units overheat and how you can help stop them from occurring.

Read More

Effective Wine Cellar Cooling

17/12/2015

 
Wine cellar cooling
The Ice Men are back with their latest AdvICE Men column, offering expert advice on a wide range of air conditioning queries in each issue of ACR Journal. This month we’re looking at wine cellar cooling systems and the best systems currently available on the market.

​Q: I have an upcoming project that is a wine cellar that requires cooling. What installation options are available?

​Questions on the installation options for wine cellars that require effective temperature control are received almost on a weekly basis at our branches, and whilst many are related to commercial premises, we are seeing a growing demand for such systems in residential applications too. 

Read More

Institute of Refrigeration: New Focus on Youth Engagement 

15/12/2015

 
Fantastic Fridges IOR
Gordon Duncan, IOR Project Manager for Youth Engagement, explains how the Institute of Refrigeration is developing its appeal to young people.

Since 2013, when the Institute of Refrigeration launched its “Youth Engagement Project”, working with young people and students, it became a major agenda item for the IOR. As an industry, it has been estimated that only 10% of the workforce are aged between 18 and 24. This represents a risk to the future of the industry to make sure there is the right level of talent coming through.

The IOR Youth Engagement project was set up to combine the efforts of various industry initiatives and schemes and offer a single point of contact through the IOR to encourage interactivity and sharing of expertise and successes in engaging more young people in this rewarding career.

Read More

Trained to Take Control

14/12/2015

 
Picture
I normally try and use this column to (hopefully) impart useful knowledge that will either get you, the reader, thinking, or help promote the values of ongoing training to career development.

This time though, I’d like to use the column to pose a series of questions about how we as an industry train installers on the best use of air conditioning controls.
​
As a manufacturer, we know that we have some of the most advanced control systems available, yet we often find end users who are using these vastly technological resources as little more than an ‘on’ and ‘off’ switch. 

Read More

Top Five Business Continuity Tips for the UK ACR Industry

26/11/2015

 
The importance of being prepared

Planning for the worst can seem like a daunting task but understanding how your business will cope in a disaster is incredibly important. Here Russ Baker, UK Sales Director of the hire division at ICS Cool Energy, outlines why a business continuity plan is so important and the basics of putting one in place.

​While the UK may offer a fairly temperate environment, we are not averse to severe weather incidents such as flooding or, on occasion snowstorms. Whilst the weather may be the first thing that springs to mind in terms of crisis management, other incidents such as power outages or even system breakdowns should be of equal concern.
ICS Cool Energy offers Top 5 Tips on business continuity - ACR Journal

Read More
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