Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine March 2019

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concerned about this because there is little to no focus on flammable refrigerant training, transportation and safety protocols, consumer education, or quality installation practices. All of these issues need to be addressed before we bring the next generation of refrigerants into the market. ACCA is developing flammable refrigerant training programs, with generous support from Arkema, Inc. – an ACCA corporate sponsor – but the rest of the industry needs to support these efforts to

everyone is moving together and preparing consumers and contractors for these changes. If the industry and policy makers do not properly address these changes then there could be some serious injuries. We’ve already seen technicians killed from mixing refrigerants in Australia! (Article furnished by Todd Washam, Director of Industry & External Relations, Air Conditioning Contractors of America, ACCA : The Association encourages members to check out the benefits of ACCA at www.acca.org )

ensure the whole industry is moving forward together. These refrigerant changes are several years away, but ACCA is concerned about them today because the codes, standards, and training must be in place

The Future??

before flammable refrigerants become the norm. These issues can take 3-5 years to advance through the codes process and penetrate the market, and we need a whole-of-industry focus to ensure the training and consumer awareness are fully in the marketplace. ACCA is educating policy makers about these issues, at the state and federal levels, and our efforts are more important than ever. Climate issues are going to be a priority for the next two years as scores of Democrats enter the race for to be the 46 th President of the United States. The democratic platform in Congress and for presidential candidates will include efforts to rid the United State of greenhouse gas emissions, and our industry will be a prime target. In fact, the Democrat-led House has even created a Select Committee on the Climate Crisis which we expect to examine greenhouse issues. Policy makers must understand the concerns about the next generation of refrigerants and that their efforts to phaseout HFC must not be done hastily. ACCA is advocating for a slow and methodical approach to these phaseouts so that