ACR Journal

Ben Bartle-Ross looks at when it is appropriate or even necessary to pressure test an air conditioning system.

As a trainer covering our complete range of air conditioning products, I am amazed at how many engineers I see coming through my training courses who have been told by an (often) older colleague that when they are servicing air conditioning, they have to put a pressure gauge on a system to ‘test the pressures’.

Ben Bartle-Ross of Mitsubishi Electric looks at what R32 systems mean for air conditioning installers.
 
R32 systems are now available in the UK and, if the experience we’ve had with our MSZ-LN units is anything to go by, then they will become common very quickly – especially with businesses who want the stylish new designs, or corporations that want to demonstrate their adoption of aircon with a lower GWP.

Richard Burcher of Airedale International Air Conditioning suggests simple, cost-effective tactics to cut carbon emissions and energy costs.

Much is written about marginal gains, the small incremental improvements which can be made to any process, where the cumulative gains would end up being hugely significant. Energy saving is one process which can benefit marginal gains. Ensuring lights are off when an office is not in use, for example, can turn small changes into big savings.

Ben Bartle-Ross, a trainer at Mitsubishi Electric, looks at what the introduction of R32 systems means for air conditioning installers.

I was pleased to get some comments on the ACR Journal website in response to my previous post about R32.
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However, I am not going to answer them here because I think the subject of R32 and safety is more than adequately covered by the F-Gas Regulations which are in place for a reason. It’s also why you have to qualify to handle refrigerants. Like just about anything in modern life there are dangers involved, but with correct training and handling, we seek to mitigate the risks and minimise the danger.

For this month’s column, I’d like to ask two direct questions and would welcome your thoughts and answers either by writing to the editor, or by emailing me directly.

I’ve been asked by my marketing colleagues whether videos would help me in my role as a trainer, whether that is for air conditioning or for heat pumps.

Whilst I believe that videos can be a very useful learning tool, I still believe in a hands-on approach so I’d really appreciate your thoughts on the matter.

These columns allow me to focus on things that I think are important for the industry – and that I come across when meeting engineers on the training courses I run.

So, it is always great to get a comment, which at least shows that someone, somewhere is reading the column.
In my last post, 32 reasons to get ready for change, I focused on the fact that the Aircon industry is dealing with R32 refrigerant that is starting to appear in new models.

Most of us don’t much like change and seldom want to be pushed outside our own comfort zone.

Yet change is coming and if you haven’t been paying attention, then it’s time to get up to speed, so that you can quickly feel familiar with the new.

Ben Bartle-Ross, a trainer at Mitsubishi Electric, asks if we are being smart enough with some of the latest technology available.

In my last column, I talked about the various Apps that manufacturers, such as Mitsubishi Electric, are developing for engineers when they are out on the job. These can help with things like fault codes, pipe runs, wiring details, etc and are designed to help you get the information you need, when you need it.

​This dedicated team is based in our Manchester office and one of the things I’ve noticed when speaking to them about areas I should focus on in the training I give, is the number of calls they get from engineers who could have found the information quicker than the time it takes to make a phone call.

​We have developed a number of Apps and Tools designed to provide answers to the more straightforward questions that you as an engineer will face on site.

​Our ME Engineer App is designed specifically to resolve straightforward questions about installation, dip-switch settings, thermistor values, etc. and because you carry it round with you on your smartphone, it can get you the answer you need far quicker than needing to call the help desk.

​They agreed to phase-down HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons) in their countries at various stages to get rid of these greenhouse gases. 

​It was not a perfect agreement, in that some commentators wanted more phase-down faster. But, developing countries said they needed more time to wean themselves of HFCs. But, the fact is that it was an important moment for the planet and humans. ​

​​The Kigali agreement means businesses and organisations will have to adopt new refrigerants with low global warming potentials (GWP). And, they will probably have to invest in new systems when their old units break down. That is good for our industry.

​If you answered yes to these questions make sure to nominate them for the Institute of Refrigeration Service Engineers’ Section Lifetime Achievement Award. The winner will receive industry recognition for their contribution as a role model with a cash prize of £400, a pewter beer tankard and an invitation to meet the industry at the IOR Annual Dinner on 16th February in London.

​For designers, owners and operators refrigerated food cold stores and food processing plant; energy is big business.

​In an attempt to look at how the food processing and chilling industry use energy in a new way a team of engineers and researchers under the title of CryoHub are looking at using energy storage techniques which allow power to be supplied back into the grid as well as providing cooling for cold stores and food factories.