CFC ISSUE:  AN UPDATE

Confusion about CFC, EPA regulations, phase-out dates and actions required is widespread.  This CFC Update is intended to end the confusion by providing relevant dates and facts, answers to commonly asked questions and a recommended course of action.

Since Owens formed a CFC Committee in 1989 to coordinate its CFC-related information and activities, much has changed, but much remains the same.  Its pronouncements and advice to customers over the years have been consistent—put in place a CFC refrigerant management plan to avoid a potential future crisis situation.  Unfortunately, what also remains the same is that many owners/managers of CFC-containing air conditioning systems have done little, if any, planning for the future without CFCs. That future is almost here.

Some pertinent dates and facts

The 1987 Montreal Protocol was signed by 23 nations including the United States.  It called for a phased reduction in the production of CFCs leading to a complete phase-out by the Year 2000.

At a meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Copenhagen in 1992, the phase-out date was accelerated to December 31, 1995.  Signatory were almost 100 countries.

In 1992 and 1993, the EPA issued strict regulations controlling the use and handling of CFCs including penalties and fines of up to $25,000 per day per violation. Included were strict limits on leakage amounts, service practices, certification of technicians and equipment, recordkeeping, etc.

So what does it all really mean?

·        Must we stop using CFCs after the phase out date at the end of 1995?

No.  Neither the Clean Air Act nor EPA regulations call for ending the use of CFCs.

·        Well, then, why the pressure to do something?

Shortages of CFCs and potential issues of downtime, productivity, and business losses.

Shortages of Equipment

With a base of approximately 80,000 CFC-using chillers in this country, it is estimated only about 13,000 had been replaced or converted to non-CFC coolants by 1996. (Source:  Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute). With total manufacturing capacity estimated to be 8,000 to 10,000 chillers annually for both replacements and new construction, the approximately 67,000 remaining CFC-using chillers point to a potentially dramatic situation. Chiller deliveries are being quoted at 20 to 30 weeks, and the real crunch has not begun.

Cost

Sharply increasing prices of CFCs are a fact—from approximately $3 a pound in 1992 to approximately $15 per pound in 1996. Federal excise taxes of $4.35 in 1994 and $5.35 in 1995 as well as the forces of supply and demand have fueled these increases. Estimates of $25.00 or more per pound are being heard. Consider a chiller serving a 200,000 square foot building might require l,500 pounds of CFCs. From $4,500 in 1992 to $20,000 plus today! Also, equipment costs are increasing at a rate much greater than inflation.

·        With all indications pointing to potential serious shortages, won’t the government back off the phase-out date at the end of 1995?

·        Highly unlikely. First of all, it would take an act of Congress. With almost 100 nations from around the world signatory to this phase-out, there are no indications of any changes. Requests for special use exemptions by some large and influential trade associations have been denied by the EPA.

·        It has been suggested the CFC issue might all be a hoax promoted by environmentalists and politicians.

A preponderance of scientific evidence supports the CFC caused depletion of the earth’s ozone layer. The evidence demonstrates ozone depletion is not the result of evaporation of seawater, volcanic eruptions, etc.

·        Why can’t we purchase and stockpile supplies of refrigerant?

You can, but this can create more problems. If this practice is widespread, it will only speed up the time of serious shortages. Also, fire and/or environmental codes in many locations will prevent storage above a certain level which appears to most often be approximately 300 pounds. This might be able to handle leak problems, but would not take care of a major loss of refrigerant. 

·        It is reported quantities of CFCs are being imported from other countries. Might this be an answer to the predicted shortages.

No. Any such imports are illegal black market activities. Purchasing such refrigerant is illegal and is being monitored by the EPA, the U.S. Customs Service and the IRS.

·        Won’t the refrigerant manufactures, giants like DuPont, introduce new “drop-in” replacements?

This is a frequently repeated idea which has no basis in fact.  There are no acceptable “drop-in” refrigerants for CFCs. Development of the next generation of refrigerants will take many years with extensive testing on toxicity, flammability and compatibility.

All right, if we have to move away from CFCs, how should we begin and what are the steps?

·        The first step is to stop leaks.  (Leak test; tighten or repair; maintain effectively.)  Then, make a modest investment installing high efficiency purge units and reseating relief valves.

·        These actions will conserve increasingly valuable CFCs and should eliminate the possibility of fines and penalties.

·        Next, plan for a CFC-free future which begins January 1, 1996.

Select the people/organization best able to perform a comprehensive engineering and economic evaluation of your chiller and chiller plant.  Some of the elements/consideration:

-Age and condition of chiller (s) and chiller systems.

-Operating costs. Existing chiller system operating cost compared with a new/upgraded system.

-Existing chiller system capacity compared with actual building load. Many building loads have been reduced through lighting retrofits, newer computers, etc.

-Utility rebates.

-Revised equipment room ventilation and monitoring standards and codes. 

Budget and plan for the appropriate action(s) for your facility.

Summary

The CFC issue is not going to go away. Delay in planning for a CFC-free environment will lead to increased costs, possible shortages, or worse. If planning is begun now, there is time to minimize both costs and inconvenience.

Proper planning may enable you to combine the phase-out of CFCs with improved equipment and system and building efficiencies to reduce operating costs while reducing the capital investment required. 

If this sounds like the proverbial “free lunch”, talk with the skilled engineers at Owens Companies, Inc. (Owens). Owens was founded 40 years ago to specialize in the service, repair, and upgrading of large cooling and heating plants. It has unmatched chiller and chiller system experience plus technicians/specialist factory-trained and certified by Carrier, McQuay, Trane, and York.

Owens is prepared to assist you in sorting out the sometimes conflicting information on the subject; or to provide answers to specific questions; or to help you evaluate your individual; or to handle a complete turnkey CFC retrofit or replacement. For any assistance call your Owens representative or John Owens at 612-854-3800.

Owens Companies Inc. 930 East 80th Street Bloomington, Minnesota 55420 Ph: 952.854.3800 Fax: 952.854.3769

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