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"Goodbye R-22."
By the EPA
Background: Ban on Production and Imports of Ozone-Depleting Refrigerants:
An HCFC
known as R-22 has been the refrigerant of choice for commerical and
residential heat pump and air-conditioning systems for more than four
decades. Unfortunately for the environment, releases of R-22, such as those
from leaks, contribute to ozone depletion. In addition, R-22 is a greenhouse
gas and the manufacture of R-22 results in a by-product (HFC-23) that
contributes significantly to global warming. As the manufacture of R-22 is
phased out over the coming years as part of the agreement to end production
of HCFCs, manufacturers of residential air conditioning systems are offering
equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants. Many homeowners may be
misinformed about how much longer R-22 will be available to service their
central A/C systems and heat pumps. This fact sheet provides information
about the transition away from R-22, the future availability of R-22, and
the new refrigerants that are replacing R-22. This document also assists
consumers in deciding what to consider when purchasing a new A/C system or
heat pump, or when having an existing system repaired.
Phaseout Schedule for HCFCs Including R-22:
Under
the terms of the Montreal Protocol, the U.S. agreed to meet certain
obligations by specific dates that will affect the residential heat pump and
air-conditioning industry:
January 1, 2010:
After
2010, chemical manufacturers may still produce R-22 to service existing
equipment, but not for use in new equipment. As a result, heating,
ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system manufacturers will only be
able to use pre-existing supplies of R-22 to produce new air conditioners
and heat pumps. These existing supplies would include R-22 recovered from
existing equipment and recycled.
January 1, 2020:
Use of
existing refrigerant, including refrigerant that has been recovered and
recycled, will be allowed beyond 2020 to service existing systems, but
chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce R-22 to service
existing air conditioners and heat pumps.
The
Clean Air Act does not allow any refrigerant to be vented into the
atmosphere during installation, service, or retirement of equipment.
Therefore, R-22 must be recovered and recycled (for reuse in the same
system), reclaimed (reprocessed to the same purity levels as new R-22), or
destroyed. After 2020, the servicing of R-22-based systems will rely on
recycled refrigerants. It is expected that reclamation and recycling will
ensure that existing supplies of R-22 will last longer and be available to
service a greater number of systems. As noted above, chemical manufacturers
will be able to produce R-22 for use in new A/C equipment until 2010, and
they can continue production of R-22 until 2020 for use in servicing that
equipment. Given this schedule, the transition away from R-22 to the use of
ozone-friendly refrigerants should be smooth. For the next 15 years or more,
R-22 should continue to be available for all systems that require R-22 for
servicing.
Cost of
R-22:
While
consumers should be aware that prices of R-22 may increase as supplies
dwindle over the next 20 or 30 years, EPA believes that consumers are not
likely to be subjected to major price increases within a short time period.
Although there is no guarantee that service costs of R-22 will not increase,
the lengthy phaseout period for R-22 means that market conditions should not
be greatly affected by the volatility and resulting refrigerant price hikes
that have characterized the phaseout of R-12, the refrigerant used in
automotive air-conditioning systems.
Alternatives to R-22
As R-22
is gradually phased out, non-ozone-depleting alternative refrigerants are
being introduced. Under the Clean Air Act,
EPA reviews alternatives
to ozone-depleting substances like R-22 in order to evaluate their
effects on human health and the environment. EPA has reviewed several of
these alternatives to R-22 and has compiled a
list
of substitutes that EPA has determined are acceptable. One of these
substitutes is R-410A, a blend of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), substances that
do not contribute to depletion of the ozone layer, but, like R-22,
contribute to global warming. R-410A is manufactured and sold under various
trade names, including GENETRON AZ-20®, SUVA 410A®, and Puron®. Additional
refrigerants on the list of acceptable substitutes include R-134a and
R-407C. These two refrigerants are not yet available for residential
applications in the U.S., but are commonly found in residential A/C systems
and heat pumps in Europe. EPA will continue to review new
non-ozone-depleting refrigerants as they are developed.
Welcome to Mechanical Matters®,
an 'E-ZINE' publication brought to
you from Jimmy Veteto, LEED AP and Director of Business Development with
S.M. Lawrence Company, Inc. Mechanical Matters® is about mechanical systems, buildings and the
world we live in." At Mechanical Matters, we are
building mechanical solutions that matter every time by design!
ARCHIVES:
VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 1
Need Directions in this Economy?
By: Jimmy Veteto | Edited by Jeff Whitlock
| April, 2009
Quarterly numbers are out, and the economy is
not so good. The government is printing
entirely too much money to bail out too many
failing companies. There are rumors of
nationalizing the banking systems, and they
are firing CEOs…WHAT? That’s not
capitalism! No, but last I checked GM took a
big hand out from the government, so I think that is in the
Government’s right. That was the taxpayer’s
money (our money) they squandered and are now
devaluing our dollar. In fact in the latest
James Bond movie, The Quantum of Solace,
I noticed the bad guys opening up the
infamous suitcase of cash money were happy to
see Euros rather than Dollars!
As of late the only news is bad news about
our economy. Unemployment a bit
higher, another business filing
bankruptcy, your neighbor’s house just went
into foreclosure…
Automakers are so desperate, that they are
offering to pay your car note for up to 9
months if you were to lose
your job. Yeah the same job that was
required for your loan approval. Seriously,
has common sense left the building? What
happened to the ‘’rainy day jar’’? You know
the jar your mom gave you for 10% of your
allowance every week. I know I hated it too,
but mom was teaching us a valuable lesson.
While many businesses are closing their
doors, some are running up the steps of the
Philadelphia library with the Rocky theme
song resonating through the ear buds. Despite what
the news outlets say, not everyone is
suffering from this recession. In fact there
are some businesses whose sales are at an all
time high. What, in this economy? Yes.
Just last week I heard that Google, Wal-Mart,
Netflix and Auto Zone are killing it. Their
sales are through the roof. On January 21st,
2009, Apple reported $10 billion in quarterly
earnings for the first time in company
history. How is that?
I know, I know…most of you are yelling at me,
“But Jimmy, Wal-Mart’s sales are up because
most folks can’t afford to shop anywhere
else. And Netflix sales are up because so
many are out of work and they have nothing to
do, so they are watching movies.” I hear
you, and I sort of buy that. But the number
one reason that companies like the Googles of
the world are successful is for a much more
logical reason. They have a ‘rainy day
jar’, but more importantly they had a plan.
One of my colleagues, Brewster Earle (and no,
I didn’t reverse his first and last name)
once said, “As the Green Building Movement
takes our industry by storm, there will be
winners and losers. The losers will be
looking in their rear view mirror while the
winners will be looking around the bend in
the road to see what is next.”
Brewster is right. To elaborate his view, I
would say that those companies that are
looking around the bend could do so because
they have a map, a GPS, a plan and a green
initiative.
It’s no coincidence
that those who are successful during this
economy share the common denominator green.
As many companies sat by and continued
‘business’ as usual, the Wal-Marts, Googles
and Apples of the world shifted their
business model to match the changing economy
around them. You could say that they started
going green before it was ‘cool.’ How did
they do that? Two ways:
1.They recognize the ever increasing
demand for eco-friendly products in an
environmentally and energy challenged world.
2.They recognize the benefit of
sustainability: Not only do they grasp the
green building aspect of sustainability, but
the understand sustainable operations.
Sustainable Operations = People + Planet +
Profit
Ask anyone who has successfully completed a
green or energy efficiency project and they
will tell you the first concept that must be
learned. You must understand the difference
in life cycle costs versus first costs. The
slogan ‘pay me now or pay me later’ couldn’t
be more relevant. But to be more specific,
it just makes good economical and environment
sense to pay a little more on the front end
for materials or equipment that will (A) last
longer than conventional and (B) operate at a
much lower cost than conventional.
Take Wal-Mart for example. They had a
problem with the lights in all their glass
case freezers and refrigerators. You know,
those tall up-right coolers where you get
your frozen pizza and banana pudding flavored
Blue Bell ice cream. Oh, wait…that’s me.
Anyway, Wal-Mart’s problem wasn’t that
replacement light bulb costs or that the lack
of inadequate lighting was causing sales to
drop. Their problem wasn’t even a problem
until someone at Wal-Mart said, “what if we
could change the way our lights operate and
extend the life of the bulbs AND save
energy.” That wasn’t an exact quote, but I
am sure I am close. Someone at Wal-Mart had
a plan and roadmap. They discovered
that if they could install occupancy sensors
and LED lights to the refrigerated glass
coolers/freezers they could save $25,000.00 a
year.
To some companies $25,000.00 a year is not
really much money…especially to Wal-Mart.
Considering that an average Super Wal-Mart is
$100 million a year business, and $25K is
about how much revenue is earned in less than
3 hours at one store. However, when you
multiply the number of stores (7,000) times
the annual savings to Wal-Mart Corp., they
are saving $175,000,000.00 annually! And that
is just one very small ‘green’ project that
has greatly helped Wal-Mart in this economy.
Watch the video below to learn more about
Wal-Mart's continued success and green
initiative.
Still not convinced? How about Apple? I am
writing this article on my new MacBook. The
new MacBook is sleek, fast, light...I could
go on an on about my Mac. Just know that
it’s an incredibly well crafted machine.
When Mac launched this new MacBook, part of
their marketing strategy was the green
aspect. The new batteries last 3 times
longer which means less energy consumed and
fewer batteries in the landfill. Ok, that’s
nice and I am sure the environmental pitch to
the average Apple-snot (like me) will help
sales. But how about the new box my MacBook
was delivered in? The box is barely larger
than the computer itself. Apple engineers
designed a box that not only uses less
material while protecting the computer, but
they can now ship 3 times as many computers
on a plane than the larger conventional
boxes. I am not sure what the logistical
cost savings of one plane rather than three,
but I am sure it’s a lot of money…I am sure
Apple engineers know that calculation by
heart.
Good examples, but what about Google? They
don’t ship computers or sell frozen pizzas.
Their business is on the World Wide Web. How
can you green the Internet? Google’s biggest
asset is their people and the large buildings
they occupy. It takes a lot of people to
operate the worlds’ greatest search engine on
the web not to mention all the other tools
like Google Earth and the advertisement
dollars with Google ‘Ad-Words’. For Google
to be the best they need to employ the best,
all the while keeping operating costs of a
building at a minimum. Therefore I introduce
you to the Googleplex. I was first
introduced to the Googleplex by Mary Lea
Tucker of Fisher and Arnold Architects here
in Memphis. Mary Lea, used the videos
below in the "How to Avoid the Potential
Hazards of Green Design" seminars,
where
both of us were speakers at a couple of weeks
ago.. Mary Lea was
kind enough to share this video with me for
this article. Enjoy.
As I stated before, Googles' two major
investments are their people and buildings.
In the video you just watched, we learned a
little about what Google did to improve their
building's energy, but how do you think the
overall effect was on the employees? Do
you think all the effort in solar panels
improved productivity and employee retention?
Maybe. Sure in California,
those who don't care about the environment
aren't cool', but seriously solar panels
alone do not make Google one of the best
places to work in America (which they are).
In order for Google to not only survive, but
thrive
during this economy, they had to
take there business model a bit further.
They needed a plan, a map, a GPS...
They needed to make sure that at the end of
the day while they could afford to employee
the best minds in the search engine/internet
world they need to make the environment they
work in the best. They took their the
Googleplex to LEED certification which
incorporated more open spaces, better transit
options to and from work. They improved
the indoor air environment which means fewer
sick days and more productivity. They
positioned themselves to have the best work
environment so that their employees not only enjoy
they're job, but ultimately have the best work
ethic in the market.
Great examples huh? Green, energy
efficiency projects, better work
environment...those are all good ideas.
But some of you are asking, "What does this
lecture have to do with me? I am in
survival mode. Our business might not
make payroll this next month. I can't
even afford any option let alone the 'green'
option." The point of this
article or lecture is this.
Conventional decision making methods don't
cut it anymore. Do you know what the
un-employment rate is for: hardworking,
over-achieving, goal oriented, quota busting,
dedicated, trustworthy, outside of the box
thinkers? The answer is zero.
Right now your business may not be able to
afford the energy projects like Wal-Mart, but
nothing is more important right now than good
old fashion hard work! And
remember, dated evaluation methods,
conventional business models or bail outs
don't work.
Ask GM.
What are your biggest assets in your
business? Is it your building, people
or products? Ask yourself this, "What I
am doing to outwork the competition?
What am I doing to out green the competition
(which is a phrase I learned from Wal-Mart)?
Where is our road map? What will
we be spending in operating costs and energy
over the next ten years? Where is our
place in the eco-friendly purchasing and
environmentally challenged world? Where
is our people + planet + profit =
sustainability equation? Where is our
rainy day jar?"
These are questions I asked myself about 2
years ago, and I am so glad I did.
Most of you reading this know that the
majority the work that I do is directly
related to the mechanical systems in
buildings. If you are a building owner
you know that your mechanical systems
contribute between 65-75% of your overall
energy consumption. Well if energy cost
are rising and building owners are concerned
about how much money is wasted with the local
utility company then doesn't it make sense
that I too be concerned? The answer is
YES, YES a thousand times YES!!!
If you are a customer or potential customer,
I want you to know that I hesitated in
sharing this bit of information about my day
job. I made a promise to myself to keep
Mechanical Matters and educational tool
rather than a sales pitch, but if I am
lecturing on changing your business model,
having a plan or sharing the success of some
of the most thriving companies in America
right now, then I would be remiss by failing
to mention our success. Because we at
S.M. Lawrence Company changed our approach in
the business market, we have seen a
tremendous growth. It all started with a
plan, a roadmap and we educated ourselves on
energy, LEED and the environment.
Our success is a direct result of everything
I have fore mentioned in this article.
When I meet with a client about a mechanical
project, we don't stop at a simple bid,
simple payback or any simple ordinary
solution. We go much deeper than that.
We ask questions about 'whole building'
operations. We talk cash flows, net
present value, 5-10 year plans,
sustainability, green and energy
efficiencies. If you need a road map
during this tough economy, don't stand by and
wait on a bail out.
If you have any questions on this article or
need help with a sustainability road map,
feel free to give me and my team a call!
Most of us
watched in disbelief as our coach John
Calipari, answered questions at the
University of Kentucky press conference.
What just happened? Just a few days
before his presence behind a 'UK'
microphone, we were relishing the thought
of next year's team. Memphis was well
on the way to having the best recruiting
class in NCAA men's basketball history.
The Sunday before John's announcement, I
sat hovered over my computer at home with a
few of my friends from church. We
were gazing at the top recruiting class on RIVALS.COM in excitement.
The came
Monday, the rumors and the emotional roller
coaster set sail. "Say it aint so
Coach!", we all cheered. You can't
leave now. All the hard work in
recruiting this next class...next year is
our year! I was glued to my radio
that week. Never in my life have I
listened to that much AM sports radio.
It was inevitable. Coach John
Calipari is leaving us in Memphis for
'bluer grass' in Kentucky.
As a Memphian,
I asked myself, "Why did this moment hurt
so much?" I didn't graduate from U of
M. My parents are proud Memphis
alumni and sure I am a fan, but did why did
I take the whole thing so serious? The answer
to that question was spelled out in black
and white in our Commercial Appeal.
Geoff Calkins wrote:
"This will not make it any
easier for the Memphis fans who fell hard
for Calipari, who thought next season would
be the season the Tigers finally won it
all. It will not make it easier for a
city that — let’s be honest about it —
cares a little bit too much about its
college basketball team. This is not to say
that college basketball isn’t important
other places. It’s not to suggest that
Memphis is uniquely nutty about this
stuff... So what if the city had a
lousy mayor and an empty Pyramid and a
soul-crushing problem with crime? It had a
totally kick-butt basketball coach. And now
the basketball coach was leaving. Going to
Kentucky. Leaving Memphis with the mayor
and The Pyramid and the crime."
Geoff was right. The fact that we had
a 'kick-butt' coach out weighed all the
negatives the city of Memphis endures.
A part of us felt that John's departure
would some how send us plummeting to the
bottom. Back to the highest crime
rates in the country and the lousiest place
to live amongst top cities in the U.S.
We as Memphian's need a kick in the pants.
Here we are all getting riled up and
emotional about the departure of a college
basketball coach. Sure he put us in
the National spotlight, we made several
great runs in the tournament, but come
on...he's not the Messiah for crying out
loud. And so what if we do have a
lousy mayor and an empty pyramid. We
have much to be proud of here in Memphis
and I am not just talking about BBQ and a
dead Elvis either. Memphis is home to
some of the world's greatest businesses,
finest medical minds, greatest music and
cultural diversity like non other.
Our potential to be one of the best cities
in the nation is blocked only by those
wavering fair weather fans of Memphis.
You know those folks that only cheer and
rally behind this city when the Tigers are
winning? Give me a break.
My challenge to all of you fair weather
fans of Memphis is this. Stop your
complaining, and start contributing.
Last year I wrote about crime in Memphis
and how as Memphians we can make our home a
better place. So I will say it again:
As you read
this, you may be asking yourself: "I am not
a police officer, mayor or a transit
authority employee. How can I make a
difference?" My answer would be to
start with positive press in your home,
workplace, network and community.
Don't fall victim to negative
Memphis-bashing pander around the water
cooler. Instead look for ways to get
involved....look for a 'Broken Window' and
fix it.
-
Mechanical Matters, V3I2
Besides, we have a new coach now and if
Memphis will give the guy a chance to build
a program and NOT compare him to coach
Cal's administration, we will have a
winning team again. I am confident
that Josh Pastner will do a great
job...with time. Just please Memphis,
don't give him the keys to the city and
host him up as our new savior. He is
just a coach...just like Cal. Besides
we have a lot more to be proud of and work
to do off the court to make this a great
city. Get involved, make a
difference, stop complaining and start
contributing. And...
Thank you for reading Mechanical Matters®! A
publication brought to from Jimmy Veteto. To
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contact
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