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.

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

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Author:

Bryan Orr

Company: HVAC School

Position: Founder

Clifton Beck

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Chris Hughes and Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory discuss TEC’s TrueFlow technology and its crucial role in predicting airflow issues in the sales process, particularly for heat pump retrofits. They explain how the TrueFlow app helps contractors accurately measure both static pressure and airflow in existing systems, enabling them to predict whether proposed equipment changes will work effectively. This is especially vital when considering the growing trend of replacing gas furnaces with heat pumps, as the airflow requirements can differ significantly.

The conversation delves into a detailed example of replacing an 80% efficient 48,000 BTU furnace with a heat pump. They demonstrate how the airflow requirement would nearly double from 652 CFM to 1,200 CFM, potentially causing the static pressure to quadruple due to Fan Law 2 principles. This dramatic increase could lead to significant performance issues if not properly addressed during the system design phase. The experts emphasize that using TrueFlow during the sales process allows contractors to identify potential problems and necessary modifications before installation rather than discovering issues during callbacks.

The discussion also covers the ideal workflow for system assessment and sales, starting with customer comfort evaluation and proper load calculations. It’s important to reduce loads through envelope improvements when possible, particularly in cold climates where heat pump retrofits are becoming more common. Proper system sizing often means going smaller rather than larger, contrary to common industry practices, and the worst HVAC systems are often found in expensive custom homes rather than tract housing.

Key Topics Covered:

TrueFlow technology and its role in system forecasting
Fan Law 2 and its impact on static pressure when changing airflow
Heat pump retrofit challenges and considerations
The importance of accurate load calculations
Dual fuel systems as a solution for cold climates
The relationship between airflow and static pressure
Sales process integration of technical measurements
Common issues with oversized equipment
The importance of envelope assessment
Methods for reducing system loads
Proper duct sizing and modification strategies
The role of proper filter sizing and selection
The benefits of flat-rate pricing for duct modifications
Training resources and support available for TrueFlow users

Check out TEC’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@energyconservatory, and you can visit TEC’s website at https://energyconservatory.com/.

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

Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.