What Is A2L Mitigation Going To Look Like? W/ Clifton B.

In this podcast, Bryan and Clifton discuss the upcoming transition to A2L refrigerants, like R-32 and R-454B, and what A2L mitigation is going to look like.

These mildly flammable refrigerants will be used in place of R-410A for residential air conditioning systems due to an HFC phase-down driven by legislation and international agreements. They explain what mitigation means with A2L systems – sensors will detect refrigerant leaks, and the system will shut off and turn on the blower fan to dissipate any leaked refrigerant. The mitigation helps minimize flammability risk.

They note the new A2L refrigerants contain no propane despite some misconceptions. The fundamentals of safe installation, service, and repair remain similar but will be absolutely required for A2Ls versus more loosely followed with previous refrigerants. Taking proper time and care is crucial. Bryan and Clifton then discuss the education, training, and resources available from ESCO Group to help contractors prepare for this transition.

Key topics covered:

Upcoming transition to A2L refrigerants R-32 and R-454B
Phase down of R-410A driven by legislation and international agreements
Definition and purpose of mitigation used with A2L air conditioners
Misconception that new refrigerants contain propane
Fundamentals of safe installation and service remain similar but even more vital
Taking the proper time and avoiding rushing is crucial for safety
Education, training, and resources available from ESCO Group
Preparing the HVAC industry for the refrigerant transition
The yearly AHR Expo and HVAC Excellence Conference

You can learn more about ESCO Institute at https://www.escogroup.org/ and explore the HVACR Learning Network at https://hvacr.elearn.network/.

Learn more about the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.”

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@HVACS.

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#a2l #a2l refrigerants #r-410a phase down #refrigerant

Author:

Bryan Orr

Company: HVAC School

Position: Founder

Clifton Beck

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In this short Q&A podcast episode, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question about superheat, including what it is and how we measure it.

Superheat is the number of degrees a refrigerant is above its saturation point. The saturation point is where you will have a liquid-vapor mix, so superheat only exists when a substance is a vapor. Saturated refrigerant should only exist in the evaporator and condenser, during which it is being boiled or condensed.

We usually measure superheat at the evaporator coil outlet and compressor inlet. The superheat at the evaporator outlet is usually around 5-14 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s often between 10 and 20 degrees at the compressor inlet (compressor superheat). However, many systems try to get lower superheat values, and some manufacturers may require higher superheat values at the compressor inlet to prevent liquid refrigerant from getting into the compressor. Accumulators can help keep liquid refrigerant out of the system as well. We may also measure superheat coming out of the compressor on the discharge line (discharge superheat); this superheat may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Discharge superheat can let you know if the compressor is overheating the oil and causing breakdown or carbonization.

We use superheat to set the charge for fixed-orifice metering devices (as opposed to subcooling for TXVs), as superheat is a measure of how well we’re feeding our evaporator coil. When the system is off, the superheat will be 0. A system will equalize, and the refrigerant will be at saturation when that happens.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

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