| p>If you work in the HVACR business, you have | | | | handling of these refrigerants. |
| probably heard that the US Clean Air Act and the | | | | Also, there is currently no mandatory industry-wide |
| Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are calling for | | | | requirement for participation in a course concerning R |
| the gradual elimination of all ozone-depleting | | | | - 410A refrigerant from most equipment |
| refrigerants. This includes the most commonly used | | | | manufacturers. However, more and more are |
| refrigerant today, HCFC R-22, which is found in | | | | requiring "certification" when handling their R - 410A |
| residential and commercial systems everywhere. The | | | | equipment to avoid injury or accidental damage. This |
| regulations currently state that there will be no | | | | training affects contractors and technicians who |
| production or importing of HCFC R-22 beginning in | | | | purchase R-410A equipment from authorized |
| 2020. | | | | distributors, and typically assures they are EPA 608 |
| But, even sooner is the requirement that all HVAC/R | | | | certified and R-410A-trained through independent |
| manufacturers of air conditioning equipment must | | | | programs, and/or show proof of attending an |
| eliminate the use of HCFC R-22 in new equipment by | | | | approved training seminar, or an approved online |
| January 1, 2010, in North America. | | | | equivalent. |
| Many factories have started this process and are | | | | This training will assure that you understand the |
| now building systems that utilize HFC R - 410A | | | | differences between R-22 and R-410A refrigerants. |
| refrigerant that does not contribute to the depletion | | | | You must also understand the background, |
| of the ozone layer. | | | | regulations, impact on the industry, and application |
| When you work with R - 410A now or in the future, | | | | requirements of using R-410A. And, manufacturers |
| you will quickly find that it is also a high pressure | | | | assume you will obtain the practical knowledge for |
| refrigerant. This will mean that there are safety | | | | safe performance of service techniques on systems |
| issues that you must to be aware of concerning its | | | | containing R-410A refrigerant. New systems will |
| use. R - 410A is also a zeoptropic refrigerant, but | | | | require that you know how to use different tools |
| considered by the EPA as a Near Azeotropic | | | | and service equipment, and follow safety standards |
| Refrigerant Mixture (NARM), requiring different | | | | to successfully install R-410A systems. You should |
| charging and servicing techniques than other | | | | also be able to retrofit older systems and service |
| 400-series blended refrigerants. | | | | existing R-410A systems in the field. |
| Currently HFC refrigerants such as R - 410A, are not | | | | This "certification" is, in most cases, proof to a |
| covered under the refrigerant sales restriction of the | | | | manufacturer that the contractor and/or technician |
| Clean Air Act Amendments, and there is actually no | | | | have successfully studied or reviewed information |
| current EPA certification required for working with | | | | and concerns that the manufacturer has about |
| HFC R - 410A. That means that the EPA does not | | | | R-410A refrigerant, and in most cases, passed a |
| require or mandate a separate certification for the | | | | written examination. |