The entrance and expansion of natural refrigerants can improve business operations. Let's just hope they will bring relief from endless regulations.

I was impressed by the ATMOsphere America conference held recently in Washington, DC. For its second year in the states, the event was very well done. The event has been staged at various European locations since 2009, so they've had good practice. Event owners shecco had all the bases covered, from the team's hospitality to the excellent slate of presenters. I usually judge a show by how much I hate to leave early, and this was true of ATMOsphere.

The ATMOsphere meetings serve to generate additional support for the expansion of natural refrigerants around the world. shecco has North America in its sights as the next part of the world into which it wants to expand carbon dioxide, ammonia, propane, air, and water refrigeration. (Pretty crazy that no American concern though of this.) Canada has a larger number of systems in use at supermarkets, food plants, and ice skating rinks, but major supermarkets have started to install carbon dioxide or hybrid systems using CO₂ and hydrocarbons such as R290, R600a, and R411A.

While I don't agree with the global warming or ozone depletion rationale behind natural refrigerants — and am disappointed that science disproving warming has been vigorously and shamefully censored — as I've said before, "green" to me means saving energy. If natural refrigrants can do that, then let's welcome them in and start training technicians on their use and maintenance.

Article continues: http://contractingbusiness.com/blog/natural-refrigerants-ok-fine