ENERGY SAVING
Talking about leak detection
In a world grappling with climate change and environmental sustainability, the UK is at the forefront of adopting ground-breaking technologies that not only provide effi cient cooling solutions but also minimise harm to the planet. One aspect of this eff ort is the control of refrigerants contained inside HVAC systems, and a full understanding of the hazards and safety systems for refrigerant leaks is crucial. Here, Matteo Dall’Ombra, product manager commercial at Daikin UK, delves deeper into leak detection systems and how important they are to many areas.
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efrigerants are essential components of HVAC systems, but if they escape into the atmosphere, signifi cant challenges are posed. Commonly used
refrigerants, such as hydrofl uorocarbons (HFCs), are greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and ozone depletion, as such the UK, like many other nations, has committed to phasing down these harmful substances. One of the primary concerns is refrigerant leakage. Even minor leaks can have a cumulative and detrimental impact on the environment. This is where refrigerant leak detection systems step in, off ering a proactive solution to mitigate these issues. Additionally, due to the reduced effi ciency caused by refrigerant leaks, HVAC systems consume more energy to maintain temperature levels, and this increased consumption leads to higher operation costs. Refrigerant leaks in HVAC systems present a multifaceted set of challenges, including reduced effi ciency, increased energy costs, environmental concerns, health and safety risks, and negative impacts on indoor comfort and productivity. Eff ective leak detection and prevention measures are essential for mitigating these challenges and ensuring the reliable and sustainable operation of HVAC systems.
Classifi cations Refrigerants are classifi ed based on their safety
characteristics, primarily related to fl ammability and toxicity. The toxicity is indicated by a capital letter A or B, with A low toxicity and B being toxic. Next, a number indicates the fl ammability, with 1 being non-fl ammable, 2 & 2L being mildly fl ammable and 3 being highly fl ammable. Of course, this is a very broad description of the
classifi cations and there are certain nuances to each. HVAC professionals and technicians need to be aware of these
24 January 2024 •
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