Refrigerants

Ingersoll-Rand plc introduces its pure-play climate company, announcing the new company name, strategy and executive leadership team. The climate company will be named Trane Technologies plc, elevating its Trane® brand and celebrating the power of technological innovation. Trane Technologies will be a pioneer in climate control and is expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker ‘TT.’ Through its strategic brands, Trane® and Thermo King®, and portfolio of climate-focused innovations, Trane Technologies will create efficient and sustainable solutions for buildings, homes and transportation. Advanced Technologies And Powerful Innovation Global megatrends are pushing climate action to the forefront of the world’s agenda" “Global megatrends are pushing climate action to the forefront of the world’s agenda,” said Michael W. Lamach, chairman and CEO of the current Ingersoll Rand and of the future Trane Technologies. “We excel where these megatrends intersect with our advanced technologies and powerful innovation. Building on our leadership in sustainability, Trane Technologies will redefine the status quo for our industry and challenge what is possible for our customers and the world.” Lamach added: “Our focus will be on sustainable businesses that directly address these megatrends and create customer value, a proven business operating system that generates productivity and execution excellence and a winning culture that empowers people to deliver their best. As a global leader in climate markets, Trane Technologies will have greater focus, more targeted investments and a simplified business model that will allow us to increase speed and agility and deliver value for shareholders, customers and employees.” Creating Positive Impact For Society Trane Technologies will continue to aggressively pursue Ingersoll Rand’s previously announced 2030 sustainability targets, designed to create positive impact for society and enable a premier performing company. These commitments include: The Gigaton Challenge to reduce our customers’ carbon emissions by one gigaton by the year 2030. A gigaton is equivalent to the annual emissions of Italy, France and the United Kingdom combined – or about 2% of the world’s annual emissions. Leading by Example to ensure that our operations have a restorative impact on the environment including achieving carbon-neutral operations and zero waste to landfill, and giving back more water than we use in water-stressed Opportunity for All in our workplace, with goals to achieve gender parity in leadership and workforce diversity reflective of our communities. We also will enhance opportunity in our communities through investments in education and workforce development, access to housing and comfort and food and nutrition for under-served populations. Enterprise-Wide Functions Trane Technologies’ executive leadership team will be effective January 1, 2020, in readiness for the close of the Reverse Morris Trust (RMT) transaction, and report directly to Mike Lamach, chairman and CEO. Dave Regnery has been appointed president and chief operating officer. Regnery currently serves as executive vice president for Ingersoll Rand’s Climate and Industrial segments, overseeing financial and operating performance and reporting to Lamach. Dave has done an outstanding job leading both our Climate and Industrial segments over the past two years" “Dave has done an outstanding job leading both our Climate and Industrial segments over the past two years. His success, extensive knowledge of our businesses and operations and passion for our customers make this expanded role a logical step,” said Lamach. The following executives will oversee Trane Technologies’ enterprise-wide functions that support its strategy, people, culture and governance, as the climate company prepares for its separation from Ingersoll Rand, and ensure continuity of leadership within the new company: Strong Leadership Team Marcia Avedon, executive vice president and chief human resources, marketing and communications officer; Paul Camuti, executive vice president and chief technology and strategy officer; Sue Carter, senior vice president and chief financial officer, who, as previously announced, has communicated her planned retirement in conjunction with the RMT transaction close, in early 2020. At that time, she will be succeeded by Chris Kuehn, who currently serves as vice president and chief accounting officer; Ray Pittard, leader of the company’s Transformation and execution excellence; and Evan Turtz, senior vice president and general counsel. Lamach concluded: “I am looking forward to leading Trane Technologies into the future, backed by this strong leadership team. Together, we will deliver on our strategy and commitments — for the benefit of our employees, customers and shareholders. We are encouraged by the great progress we are making on closing our transaction and are confident that we are positioning Trane Technologies for success.”

Johnson Controls broke ground on an expansion of its air-handling unit manufacturing facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The 22,000 square-foot expansion will create 40-50 new assembly jobs to boost production and the local economy. The facility, which manufactures both YORK and Miller-Picking brand systems, is increasing its footprint in response to the growing demand for custom air-handling units. Creating Attractive Employment Opportunities “We’re excited to start this project, create attractive employment opportunities for area residents and serve the growing needs of the heating and air conditioning industry,” said Ramiro Rodriguez, plant manager, Johnson Controls. “This expansion is another chapter in our long-term commitment to employees, Forrest County and area business partners.” Johnson Controls will also install a new crane system that will move products during the manufacturing process The expansion, which will increase the facility’s size to 120,000 square feet, includes the relocation of several sub-assembly cells and opens more manufacturing space in the main plant. Johnson Controls will also install a new crane system that will move products during the manufacturing process. The project is slated to be completed in May 2020. Forward-Thinking Leadership "It is always welcome news when one of Hattiesburg's longstanding manufacturing employers adds additional jobs,” said Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker. "We congratulate Johnson Controls on this expansion. It is a testament to the company's forward-thinking leadership and to Hattiesburg’s dynamic and skilled workforce." Johnson Controls currently employs 225 workers at the facility. It is one of the top five preferred manufacturing employers in Hattiesburg. The existing plant was built in 1968, and the last building expansion was completed more than 20 years ago. The new expansion involves ongoing collaboration among many partners, including the City of Hattiesburg, Forrest County and Area Development Partnership. The general contractor is Rustin Metal Buildings and Construction, Laurel, Mississippi. Strong Manufacturing Sector We’re honored to hear Johnson Controls is expanding here in Forrest County" Chad Driskell, chair, Area Development Partnership, stated: “Johnson Controls’ expansion in Hattiesburg speaks to our pro-business operating environment and the quality of our regional workforce. Employees drive from across South Mississippi to work in the regional hub, which also creates more opportunities here for them to dine, shop and play.” David Hogan, president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, said: “We’re honored to hear Johnson Controls is expanding here in Forrest County. The company has a history of success here in the Forrest County Industrial Park that dates back 50 years, and we look forward to the company’s presence for another 50 years as a major contributor to our strong manufacturing sector.” While the expansion is a boon to the local economy, it also demonstrates the continued investment and leadership of Johnson Controls in the heating and air conditioning industry. Manufactured in Hattiesburg, YORK and Miller-Picking air-handling units are used in commercial buildings throughout the world. The plant complements the company’s Airside Center of Excellence in York County, Pennsylvania, which features 40,000 square feet of office space and 285,000 square feet of manufacturing space.

AAON, Inc. a manufacturer of heating and cooling products, announces that it achieved Gold level in the 2019 Sustainable Tulsa Scor3card verification program. The company reported on cornerstone directives in the areas of Energy, Healthy Work Environment, Materials Management, Transportation, Water, Community Stewardship and Communications. AAON has focused on energy conservation and waste reduction. Advanced Lighting Control System One example of the company’s sustainability efforts is the transition to nearly 90% LED lighting at its 1.5 million square foot manufacturing facility in Tulsa, with a goal of 100% LED lighting in 2020. The LED upgrade combined with an advanced lighting control system saves the company over $400,000 a year in electricity. AAON is committed to providing a cost effective, energy efficient, and productive work environment" AAON is also upgrading HVAC equipment throughout its facilities, highlighting the newest high efficiency and energy saving AAON systems available today. “Environmental stewardship and sustainability are integral to our business strategies and corporate citizenship efforts. We are proud to participate in the Sustainable Tulsa Scor3card program and are continuously looking for ways to measure and improve our performance. AAON is committed to providing a cost effective, energy efficient, and productive work environment for our employees,” said Gary Fields, President of AAON. Online Sustainability Tracking And Assessment Tool Sustainable Tulsa is a non-profit organization committed to making Tulsa a better place to live, work, and play. Scor3card is an online sustainability tracking and assessment tool for organizations who want to track and improve their sustainability plans. Using the triple bottom line strategy, Scor3card engages organizations around three areas of sustainability: people, profit, and planet. This holistic approach to sustainability allows organizations to engage their employees, bolster their economic growth, and become better environmental stewards.

Staff of the Building Technologies Office (BTO), within the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, were pleased to attend the announcement of five new cooperative research and development agreements that Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has made with industry partners. The agreements will further advance DOE’s growing body of innovations that enhance the energy performance, sustainability, and safety of heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation systems (HVAC) and the refrigerants that drive them. America’s homes and commercial buildings use nearly 40% of the country’s energy and 75% of its electricity, and air conditioning is responsible for a significant share of those figures, constituting 15% of America’s home electricity use and 12% of its commercial electricity use. When refrigeration is included, those residential and commercial figures jump to 21% and 26%, respectively. Combined, air conditioning and refrigeration technologies account for almost a fifth of all building energy use in the United States. Improve energy efficiency in buildings Oak Ridge National Laboratory excels at translating scientific discoveries into new technology partnerships with industry" Air conditioning has always been and continues to be one of the most significant opportunities DOE has to improve energy efficiency in buildings, a particular point of emphasis in these five new cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) projects. “Oak Ridge National Laboratory excels at translating scientific discoveries into new technology partnerships with industry,” said Daniel R Simmons, Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy. “These collaborations drive new innovations that address challenges and speed deployment of technologies into the marketplace, where they will have the greatest impact in saving energy and boosting the American economy.” Energy-saving technologies Moe Khaleel, ORNL’s associate laboratory director for energy and environmental sciences, said even more agreements are on the way. “We are pleased to apply the expertise and capabilities of Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop energy-saving technologies in collaboration with these industry leaders," said Khaleel. “The collaborations announced today are just the beginning of what we anticipate being a record number of industry partnerships over the next year to develop breakthroughs for energy-efficient buildings and a more secure, resilient power grid.” Testing state-of-the-art innovations Many of DOE’s CRADAs at ORNL have focused on reducing leaks in refrigeration systems Much of this research will occur in ORNL’s Building Technologies Research and Integration Center (BTRIC), where 40,000 square feet of laboratory space has been used since 1993 to develop and test state-of-the-art innovations that improve the performance, efficiency, and sustainability of buildings. Notably, three of the new CRADA projects are intended to build upon DOE’s longstanding efforts to develop, test, and optimize the safe and efficient use of alternative refrigerants in HVAC and other refrigeration systems. Historically, many of DOE’s CRADAs at ORNL have focused on reducing leaks in refrigeration systems and using alternative refrigerants in compressors, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, air conditioners, and other systems. Several of ORNL’s new CRADAs will now investigate the suitability of alternative refrigerants in vending machines and other food processing systems. New agreements The details of these new agreements, which will run for two to three years, are described here: National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) - Evaluating environmentally friendly refrigerants for vending machines in North America, mitigating leak risks and assessing potential hazards including flammability. “NAMA and the NAMA Foundation are collaborating with researchers at ORNL because they have the recognized expertise needed to assist owners and operators of vending machine equipment manufacturers and distributors throughout North America with the use and production of equipment that safely and efficiently uses next-generation refrigerants." - Eric Dell, executive vice-president Taylor Commercial Foodservice - Developing alternative refrigerants for food processing and dispensing machines in quick-service restaurants and food retail. “More than three million refrigerated food/beverage processing, dispensing, and vending machines in the U.S. consume up to 70% of energy through the compressor. By working with ORNL, we will be able to develop environmentally friendly refrigerant solutions that meet domestic and international expectations.” - Stephen Wadle, senior project engineer Emerson Climate Technologies - Accelerating the development of next-generation architecture for advanced HVAC and dehumidification coupled with energy storage and integrated water heating through a vapor compression system that utilizes long-term, climate-friendly refrigerants. “By collaborating with ORNL on advanced technologies for HVAC systems, we’re developing a modular system with energy storage for grid-responsive capabilities. We’ll be able to accomplish our objectives on an accelerated timeframe by working with the only user facility in the nation that has the technology and resources capable of developing this type of equipment.” - Hung Pham, director of integrated services Enginuity Power Systems - Developing a prototype of a commercially ready micro combined heat and power (mCHP) device with an internal combustion engine fueled by natural gas. “ORNL’s BTRIC facility provides the knowledge needed in equipment modeling, design-for-manufacturing, equipment-grid interaction modeling, environmental chambers, and heat exchanger testing loops as well as a fully equipped research house that emulates real-life occupancy. With this support, we will be able to launch the next generation of our mCHP device for large-scale commercialization.” - Jacques Beaudry-Losique, president Baltimore Aircoil Company - Advancing next-generation heat exchanger technology that can be deployed in an evaporator cooling system, reducing the size of the system and decreasing energy and water usage by 30%. “This collaboration will help us expedite the production of a novel heat exchanger technology that can operate in wet and dry or hybrid conditions. ORNL scientists will accelerate our understanding of emerging new materials and their potential for heat transfer applications.” - Michael Tenbrock, global technology R&D director

Johnson Controls will showcase its unmatched portfolio of advanced, sustainable and future-ready HVACR solutions at the 2020 AHR Expo (Booth 3833) Feb. 3-5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The Johnson Controls booth will be centered around the company’s new brand focus – ‘The power behind your mission’ – which reinforces its commitment to advancing the safety, comfort and intelligence of spaces and places to power its customers’ business goals. “The HVACR industry is constantly evolving and Johnson Controls is well-positioned to meet changing consumer demand with more efficient, sustainable and smart-ready products,” said Jeff Williams, president, Global Products, Johnson Controls. “The 2020 AHR Expo brings together a collection of our latest and most advanced products to help simplify building management, increase energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.” seamless integration The units are Smart Equipment enabled and provide seamless integration with building controls systems YORK Sun Choice: The new 15-27.5-ton commercial rooftop units exceed Department of Energy (DOE) 2018 regulations by up to 25% and surpass future DOE 2023 part-load standards by nearly 10%. The units feature a lightweight design that is up to 33% lighter than existing Johnson Controls models and up to 22% lighter than competing products. Large-tonnage commercial rooftop units: The new series of 27.5–50-ton commercial rooftop units seek to provide class-leading performance to deliver comfort without compromise – all in a cost-effective package. The units are Smart Equipment enabled and provide seamless integration with building controls systems, including Verasys, which helps maximize control for greater efficiency, extended equipment life and reduced operating costs. communicating zoning system New Communicating Zoning System: YORK will launch the new Wi-Fi-enabled Hx 3 communicating zoning solution, offering a range of devices to build systems supporting up to eight zones in homes resulting in maximum efficiency of equipment. The communicating zoning system can be controlled on the equipment, individual room thermostats or remotely controlled on the upgraded Hx Pro mobile application. When paired with this new technology, YORK Affinity Variable Capacity Systems are smarter, more connected, more efficient and more reliable than ever before. The Ducted Systems group will also feature the 2020 AHR Innovation Award-winning YORK TL9E Ultra-Low NOx Gas Furnace. Metasys Release 10.1: The latest version of the Metasys building automation system (BAS) includes an award-winning Cyber Health Dashboard and a new family of Network Engines to help drive system performance and cybersecurity. An exclusive first look at Metasys enhancements that will be available later this year will also be on display, including new supervisory and equipment controller models and fault detection, and fault triage capabilities. commercial refrigeration system The Johnson Controls building automation team will also exhibit next-generation hardware for Facility Explorer, including a brand new supervisory controller, a new family of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) for critical environments and other additions to its robust building automation portfolio as part of the recent EasyIO acquisition. YZ offers outstanding efficiency, an impressive operating map and a low total cost of ownership PENN Connected Refrigeration: This new tool leverages the cloud, IoT, mobile applications and data analytics to provide real-time data to optimize commercial refrigeration system efficiency, performance and reliability. It’s a cost-effective solution to ensure food stored in refrigeration equipment is always safe. Johnson Controls will feature a wide range of commercial and residential thermostat controls. Designed to help occupants efficiently and easily manage indoor comfort, the LUX portfolio provides a commercial line of thermostats of all types – from mechanical and pneumatic to smart Zigbee and zWave controls – to fit almost any project. HVAC systems design process Pros can see first-hand the simplicity and design of the LUX line of smart thermostats, including the KONO Smart, KONOz and KONOzw, CS1, GEO and the award-winning LUX P series of programmable thermostats, as well as the latest Johnson Controls TEC3000 and WT4K for commercial applications. HVAC Designer: This new web-based tool speeds up the HVAC systems design process by assisting with many time-consuming tasks necessary to design a complete system, such as a rooftop system with Verasys controls. The tool can import loads from diverse sources, create your schematics, automatically complete industry-standard HVAC calculations, guide product selections that meet system performance requirements, and create project documentation. heat recovery systems Hitachi multi-module water source VRF heat pump and heat recovery systems (Booth # 3819): The new multi-module systems are the largest capacity water source variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems in the industry – ranging from 6-48 tons – and offer the capability of connecting multiple single-module units. A new development for the award-winning YORK YZ Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller will be announced at the show. Johnson Controls has developed an integrated heat exchanger option available in YORK air handlers Launched in early 2018, the YZ is the first chiller fully optimized for ultimate performance with a next generation low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant. The YZ offers outstanding efficiency, an impressive operating map, sustainability and a low total cost of ownership. Johnson Controls Innovates Wrap-Around Heater Exchangers for a Compact Air Handler Footprint: With the growing need for energy-efficient dehumidification methods, Johnson Controls has developed an integrated wrap-around heat exchanger option exclusively available in YORK air handlers. temperature and lighting control The result is a compact design offering a significant footprint reduction vs. alternative systems. Wrap-around heat exchangers offer dehumidification benefits for many HVAC system applications including schools, hospitals, laboratories and gymnasiums. Manufactured on the same line as other YORK AHRI 410-certified coils, Johnson Controls guarantees the performance and reliability of the entire system without need for onsite installation or additional manufacturing lead time. Johnson Controls Companion: This personal occupant app combines temperature and lighting control, space reservation, desk usage, way finding, helpdesk, ticket request and mobile access/e-badge management to enable the workplace and workforce of the future. The easy-to-use app gives occupants more control while making buildings smarter and more efficient. advanced cloud-based platform Smart Connected Chillers provide machine learning-enabled, value-added analysis, including vibration analysis Johnson Controls Enterprise Management: This advanced cloud-based platform is machine learning-enabled and allows users to monitor and manage building operations data, space utilization, tenants, equipment and systems from a single pane of glass. An advanced Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) engine, predictive capabilities and integration with preferred work order system provides quick and measurable ROI. Smart Connected Chillers: Evolving from preventive to predictive condition-based maintenance, Smart Connected Chillers provide machine learning-enabled, value-added analysis, including vibration analysis, to aid in early detection of machine faults with proactive recommendations to make smart decisions around equipment performance. critical environment controls FMS-2000 Critical Environment Controller: Triatek will display the latest addition to the critical environment controls portfolio, the FMS-2000 Critical Environment Controller. It features a larger five-inch-high definition touch screen with increased font size that makes verifying temperature, pressure and humidity easier across operating rooms and other critical spaces. An updated interface will provide a consistent user experience across Johnson Controls products, and users can customize which parameter(s) to display on the screen. Two different password-protected access levels provide facility managers and healthcare staff with the peace of mind that certain settings are only accessible to approved staff. The FMS-2000 can control and monitor up to six parameters across four rooms, which makes it a cost- effective choice. It includes the patented Safety Halo edge lighting that provides 360˚ of color-coded status visibility. The FMS-2000 seamlessly integrates with Metasys and Facility Explorer, and will be available globally in 17 languages in March 2020. energy efficiency Service and Maintenance: Johnson Controls offers the industry’s most comprehensive options for service and maintenance of HVAC equipment and controls in North America, including both smart-ready Johnson Controls products as well as competitive products.  Johnson Controls will also offer educational presentations addressing key trends in the industry, including the 2019 Energy Efficiency Indicator Survey. Clay Nesler, Vice President, global energy and sustainability for Johnson Controls, will unveil findings of the 2019 Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI). The annual survey tracks current and planned investments, key drivers and organizational barriers to improving energy efficiency in facilities.

The University of Detroit Jesuit High School chooses Aquatherm pipe for a second project. Aquatherm used their famous Green Pipe for this project. The high school campus needed a piping system that could be installed in a new four-story 40,000sq ft building on a very tight schedule. Aquatherm North America fabricated some sections of the chilled-water piping system, saying installation time as well as labor costs. The advantages of using Aquatherm: Aquatherm was an easy choice because a previous successful piping project on campus features a leak-free Aquatherm Blue Pipe system Aquatherm North America's initial inventory of its new 4 inch SDR 17.6 blue pipe sold out quickly so the company worked with the owner to find a comparable small diameter green pipe that still would provide the needed volume The R-1 value per inch of the SDR 7.4 green pipe provides ongoing energy savings process and the pressure test Josh Umphrey, Journeyman Pipe Fitter, John E. Green Co., Highland Park, MI said: “Most of us trademen in the field are 'I'll believe it when I see it' types. But I will say that after going through the process and the pressure test, I'm more than comfortable installing and recommending Aquatherm Pipe.”

Record hot temperatures in Europe last summer contrasted sharply with the region’s traditional aversion to air conditioning. Unlike the United States, where some 90% of homes are air conditioned, only around 5% of European buildings are equipped for the hottest temperatures. I can’t help but think that days and days of summer temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) must have motivated some building owners to reconsider the issue. Increasing Opportunity For The HVAC Market The blistering temperatures are likely to become more common. Climate change suggests a likelihood of an increase in average temperatures, which translates into longer and hotter summers to come. In the face of greater demand for climate control, clearly, there is an increasing opportunity for the HVAC market to thrive on the continent. Sales of fans and air conditioners surged during the worst of the summer heat A growing demand for air conditioning in Europe must be preceded by a change in attitude toward the technology. Europeans have traditionally opposed air conditioning, or at least shrugged it off as unnecessary or even potentially harmful to health. Nothing like a long, hot summer to change the paradigm. The signs are already there: Sales of fans and air conditioners surged during the worst of the summer heat, and one installer in Berlin reportedly suspended their phone service because of the flood of calls. Global Electricity Demand The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that Europe’s air-conditioner stock will double in the next two decades as record heat becomes more prevalent. The increase will be a major driver of global electricity demand. The future demand for air conditioning in Europe is dwarfed by higher demand throughout other parts of the world, especially India, Indonesia and China, according to the IEA. As incomes and living standards improve in developing countries, the growth in AC demand in hotter regions is likely to soar.  Globally, fans and air conditioners already account for 10 percent of electricity consumption, and the demand could triple over the next three decades. The increased demand will require new electricity capacity equivalent to the current capacity of the United States, the European Union, and Japan combined. Becoming More Energy Efficient Units need to become more energy efficient to minimize the impact on electricity consumption IEA predicts global stock of air conditioners in buildings will grow to 5.6 billion by 2050 up from 1.6 billion today. Units need to become more energy efficient to minimize the impact on electricity consumption. The IEA emphasizes the need for stringent minimum energy performance standards and other measures such as labeling. Doubling the energy efficiency of the world’s stock of air conditioners between now and 2050 would help to reduce the need for new electricity infrastructure. From an efficiency perspective, European air conditioners are currently the most efficient in the world; even so, more demand will increase energy usage (which, ironically, could make global warming worse). Ambitious Performance Standards Designing buildings with an eye toward passive cooling and with better insulation can help lower the impact. Hotter weather trends in Europe and the rest of the world suggest monumental business opportunities for the HVAC industry. Capitalizing on those opportunities in a responsible way is an enormous challenge for the industry. We must provide comfort and coolness to a globally warming world while minimizing our impact on the environment in the process. Technology and innovation, driven by ambitious performance standards, can enable us to achieve both.

If the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is ratified in the United States, the HVAC industry could benefit for years to come. Overall, the amendment could provide an additional 33,000 jobs and $12.5 billion in annual economic output. Those numbers are from a study by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy. It’s one quantifiable estimate of the economic impact of the Kigali Amendment, which promises to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) more than 80% over the next 30 years. Next-Generation Technologies HFCs were embraced at the time as a replacement because they are safe for the ozone layer The amendment provides a gradual phasedown of currently used HFCs to allow a more cost-effective transition to next-generation technologies. The Montreal Protocol (ratified in 1989) originally pledged to phase out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), including the hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) R-22, which was previously used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. HFCs were embraced at the time as a replacement because they are safe for the ozone layer, although they are a greenhouse gas and thus contribute to global warming. That was not as big a concern in the 1980s. The Kigali Amendment, which was negotiated in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2016 and ratified in November 2017, now targets use of HFCs in signatory countries beginning in January 2019. Economic Benefit To Businesses The amendment is expected to prevent up to a 0.9 degree Fahrenheit increase in global warming through the end of the century. That impact is significant given the 2015 Paris Agreement’s goal to keep the increase in global temperature below 2 degrees Fahrenheit through 2100. President Trump has not submitted the Kigali Amendment to the Senate for approval So far, 65 countries have ratified the Kigali Amendment, but it has not yet been ratified by the U.S. Senate. President Trump has not submitted the Kigali Amendment to the Senate for approval, although they would likely approve it because of the potential for economic benefit to businesses. Earlier, Barack Obama attempted to implement the Kigali Amendment without Senate approval but was undermined by the Supreme Court. Addressing Damage To The Ozone Layer An issue is whether the Kigali Agreement should be made part of the 1992 United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change because it targets global warning, rather than part of the Montreal Protocol, which is aimed at addressing damage to the ozone layer. The Kigali Amendment freezes HFC usage at certain annual levels for various countries and then seeks to reduce use of HFCs after that. Developed countries (such as the U.S.) would freeze HFC production and use in 2019, while developing countries such as China and Brazil would freeze usage in 2024. Developing countries, such as India and Pakistan, would freeze usage in 2028. Alternatives to HFCs include hydrofluoro olefins (HFOs) and natural refrigerants such as R-717, R-744, propane and butane. Heat Pump Equipment Switching away from HFCs requires a replacement of heat pump equipment HFOs are a new class of unsaturated HFC refrigerants that have a lower global warming potential and shorter atmospheric lifetimes; they are not included as substances to be phased down in the Kigali Amendment. Switching away from HFCs requires a replacement of heat pump equipment. During the transition, the industry will depend on hybrid refrigerants that combine HFCs and HFOs to meet regulatory targets without requiring HVAC equipment to be replaced. While HFCs are out of patent and cost around $7 a pound, the patented replacements, such as Solstice (Honeywell) and Opteon (Dupont), cost around $71 a pound. Replacing a heat pump to accommodate the newer substances will cost consumers thousands of dollars in equipment and installation costs. For the HVAC industry, it represents a potential business boon.

A key deadline for phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) from residential air conditioning systems is less than a year away. Jan. 1, 2020, is the deadline after which there will be no U.S. production or import of HCFC-142b and HCFC-22 (also called R-22). The deadline is part of an incremental phazeout of HCFC consumption and production based on the U.S. commitment in the 1997 Montreal Protocol aimed at protecting stratospheric ozone. Section 605 of the Clean Air Act establishes phazeout targets for the chemicals. The phazeout will be complete in 2030, after which time there will be no production or import of any HCFCs. HCFC-142b retrofit refrigerant HCFC-142b is used in small quantities in refrigerant blends and as a retrofit refrigerant in motor vehicle ACs HCFC-142b is used in small quantities in refrigerant blends and as a retrofit refrigerant in motor vehicle air conditioners that previously used chloroflurococarbons (CFCs), which were eliminated in the mid-1990s for their potential to deplete the ozone layer. HCFC-22 is the most commonly used refrigerant in applications such as unitary air conditioners, cold storage, retail food refrigeration equipment, chillers and industrial process refrigeration. Any air conditioner or heat pump manufactured before 2010 likely uses HCFC-22 refrigerant. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons in air conditioning systems On Jan. 1, 2020, U.S. production or import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b will not be permitted in the United States. After this happens, only recycled/reclaimed or stockpiled quantities of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b will be available for servicing existing equipment, and they will likely be more expensive. These substances have been in the process of being phazed out since 2015, when supplies were reduced by 90 percent. Since 2010, HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b have been available exclusively for use to service existing equipment.   There are several non-ozone-depleting alternatives to HCFC-22. They include R-134a and R-410A, which can be used in a new installation; and R-407C and R-407A, which can be used in a new or a retrofit installation. The most common alternative is R-410A, which is manufactured and sold under various trade names such as GENTRON AZ-20, SUVA 410A, and PURON. Significant New Alternatives Policy SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) was established by the U.S. Clean Air Act to identify and evaluate substitutes for ozone-depleting substances. The program looks at overall risks to human health and the environment of existing and new substitutes, publishes lists and promotes the use of acceptable substances, and provides the public with information. EPA reviews alternative refrigerants and maintains a list of acceptable substitutes for household and light commercial air conditioning. For the last 25 years, the air conditioning and refrigeration industry has been working to reduce its use of CFC refrigerants, which are no longer available on new equipment. The industry has used alternative refrigerants and achieved higher efficiency ratings to achieve the goals. CFC refrigerants Long life of AC equipment has extended the continuing use of CFC refrigerants by existing equipment However, the long useful life of air conditioning equipment has extended the continuing use of CFC refrigerants by existing equipment. Green building groups have supported legislative action to reduce federal depreciation schedules for this equipment, which would accelerate the replacement of older equipment and hasten the total elimination of CFC refrigerant use. The HEAT Act, which Congress passed in 2017 as part of the landmark Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, reduced commercial HVAC expensing from 39 years to immediate (zero years). Phazing out ozone-depleting refrigerants The European Union is also committed to protecting the ozone layer and has some of the strictest regulations in the world. Since 2010, there has been a ban on the use of “virgin” HCFCs to service and maintain refrigeration and air conditioning equipment; use of reclaimed or recycled HCFCs for service or maintenance has been banned since 2015.

Ratti, founded in 1945, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of printed, plain, yarn-dyed and jacquard fabrics for international luxury and pret-à-porter brands. Its yearly production exceeds four million meters of fabric. Exports account for approximately 70% of total sales. Ratti has been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange since 1989 and has been a part of the Marzotto Group since 2010. environmental protection Ratti’s headquarters and Italian production facilities are located in Guanzate, near Como. Ratti understands the importance of quality, respect for the environment, safety and social responsibility. In fact, it is actively pursuing path of sustainable development with a focus on environmental protection. In fact, thanks to self-produced energy through sustainable technologies such as the photovoltaic plant in 2017, Ratti avoided the emission of 310 tons of CO2 and 58.230 kWh of electricity was produced from renewable sources. With these successful sustainable actions in mind, when it came time to update the HVAC system of their offices, Ratti chose Climaveneta brand air-cooled chillers with 4th generation HFO eco-friendly refrigerants, specifically, 2 FX HFO/SL-A/S 2722 chillers. The refrigerant HFO 1234ze selected ensures GWP levels near 0 (compared to GWP values of 1430 for R134a gas) and no toxicity, while continuing to guarantee high energy performance levels.

A high performance Carrier air-to-water heat pump is delivering comfortable ambient conditions for children and staff at Yew Tree Nursery in Axbridge, Somerset. Carrier’s AquaSnap 61AF heat pump was selected to replace an oil-fired heating system that was proving unreliable and inefficient. The Carrier unit captures low-grade heat energy from the atmosphere and upgrades it to generate hot water for use in the nursery’s underfloor heating, radiators and domestic hot water supply. Carrier, a pioneer in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, is a part of Carrier, a global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. Tested and charged with refrigerant “We chose the Carrier system as it enables you to match the exact requirements of an application, rather than simply supplying a standard factory-specification product, as with some other manufacturers,” said Tom Mangnall, who led the project for contractor, Somerset Mechanical Ltd. It was delivered fully assembled, tested and charged with refrigerant and only required power and water connections" “The other major attraction was the plug-and-play design of the AquaSnap monobloc. It was delivered fully assembled, tested and charged with refrigerant and only required power and water connections, which saved time on site and reduced installation costs.” Provides hot water up to 55 degrees Celsius The unit, which has an A+ energy rating, includes a soft-start system for low power draw, and freeze protection to maintain operation when outdoor temperatures dip. Even in temperatures down to minus 20 degrees Celsius, the unit can provide domestic hot water at up to 55 degrees Celsius. In addition to providing clean, reliable, high performance heating, it freed up space at the nursery, as the bulky fuel-oil storage tanks required by the previous system are no longer needed. “The AquaSnap 61AF heat pump is compact and very versatile, and ideal for heating and domestic hot water production,” said Russ Tyrrell, senior technical sales engineer, Carrier. “We believe it has huge potential for wider use in the UK, particularly in similar applications that currently rely on oil-based systems. It is an ideal solution for use in homes, apartment buildings, shops, offices, restaurants, hotels, warehouses.”

Two high performance Carrier air-cooled chillers with a combined cooling capacity of 1.17MW have been installed at The Royal Exchange in the City of London as part of a major refurbishment of premium office space in the iconic building. Installed by contractor JSA Service, the pair of AquaForce 30XAV-600 chillers equipped with Greenspeed Intelligence inverter drives replaced the previous chillers made by another manufacturer which had proven to be unreliable. Carrier, a pioneer in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, is a part of Carrier, a global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. Upgrading building’s air conditioning The Carrier 30XAV chillers provided an excellent solution, offering low noise, superior reliability and optimal efficiency"The Grade 1-Listed building, located opposite the Bank of England, has undergone a complete refurbishment of its upper storey high specification serviced office accommodation. A key element of the project was to replace and upgrade the building’s air conditioning to match the outstanding new environment, in order to deliver the highest indoor comfort for tenants. Allan Wilkinson, managing director of JSA Service, said: “The client required a high efficiency solution that would deliver top quality comfort conditions and operate with low noise. Reliability and resilience were key. The Carrier 30XAV chillers provided an excellent solution, offering low noise, superior reliability and optimal efficiency, especially at part load.” Meets energy efficiency Requirements The 30XAV units are designed to meet all current and future requirements in terms of energy efficiency and operating sound levels. This is achieved through the combination of proven best-in-class technologies that include: High-efficiency variable-speed Carrier twin-screw compressors; Variable-speed condenser fans; Novation high efficiency heat exchangers with micro-channel coil technology; Mechanically cleanable flooded evaporator; Carrier’s new Touch PilotTM control system; As standard, the chiller can provide an evaporator leaving temperature down to 3.3 degrees Celsius with proven operation for outdoor air temperatures ranging from minus 20 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius. The project was completed and handed over to the client within four weeks Due to logistics challenges on site, JSA Service had to completely dismantle the chillers to enable individual components to fit through a small access hatch. The chillers were then reassembled in position, connected up and the system commissioned. Project completed well ahead of schedule Chris Bates, director, JSA Service, worked with the technical services team to deliver the project. “It was the first complete chiller disassembly and reassembly we’ve undertaken, necessitated by access issues,” Bates said. “The fact that it is a Grade 1-Listed building also required great care in the planning and execution of the project. We worked closely with John Foster of Cooling Technology Limited, Carrier’s sales agent, who provided excellent technical support throughout the project.” The project was completed and handed over to the client within four weeks, two weeks ahead of schedule. The building is now fully operational as one of the most desirable and iconic office locations in London, with a high quality air conditioned indoor environment to match.

Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems, though its brand RC, has supplied the IT cooling system for Oslo Internet Exchange, OS-IX data center. OS-IX is owned 50/50 by Bulk Infrastructure and Akershus Energi. They co-operate to facilitate hydro power generated data centers for both national and international clients. The OS-IX complex has a total area of 25,000 m², which makes it the largest data center in Oslo, equipped with new technical infrastructure and driven by green renewable hydroelectric power. OS-IX is also a connectivity hub for the national and international fiber grid to ensure redundancy. Becoming most competitive data center When it came time to choosing the IT cooling solution, a system based RC units was selectedConsidering the central location of the OS-IX data center, with easy access to highways, railways, and the Oslo International Airport, Bulk Infrastructure and Akershus Energi decided to revitalize the building with new infrastructure with the aim of becoming the most competitive data center location in Oslo, both in terms of cost effectiveness and in terms of achieving low PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness). Therefore, when it came time to choosing the IT cooling solution, a system based RC units was selected. X TYPE T2 S close control air conditioners were chosen for the data halls, NEXT EVO Inv DW for the UPS/Battery rooms, NEXT EVO CW for the two MMR and Carrier rooms, and UNICO TURBO air cooled chillers with free-cooling, designed for cooling capacity of 3,200 kW for this stage. A X Type solution of this kind offers the lowest possible LCC and PUE for chilled water temperatures from 18-28°C and 100% free-cooling up to ambient temperature 16°C, partial free-cooling ambient from 16°C to 25°C. Since the average year around temperature in Oslo is between -6 and 22°C, there is free-cooling 365 days a year.

Further extending its commitment to environmental sustainability, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico (TMPR) is enhancing its fleet with 220 containers chilled by the industry’s only natural refrigerant-based system, the NaturaLINE unit from Carrier Transicold. TMPR is the first shipping line to place a sizable quantity of NaturaLINE units into service on U.S. domestic trade routes. NaturaLINE units use carbon dioxide (CO2), a refrigerant with the lowest global warming potential (GWP) among all refrigerants currently used in container systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier, a global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. NaturaLINE units with ultra-low GWP R‑744 is non-ozone depleting, widely available, relatively inexpensive and classified as A1 for low-toxicityTMPR’s new refrigerated containers – a mix of 40-foot and 45-foot high-cube models – are being acquired via lease from SeaCube Containers LLC. NaturaLINE units use CO2 refrigerant, also known as R-744, which has an ultra-low GWP of 1, in comparison to GWPs that range from 600 to nearly 4,000 for refrigerants used in other container systems. R‑744 is also non-ozone depleting, widely available, relatively inexpensive and classified as A1 for low-toxicity and no flame propagation. “With its natural refrigerant, NaturaLINE units help fleets guard against regulations, environmental taxes and phase outs that other refrigerants could be subject to during the operational life span of units purchased today,” said David Appel, president, Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems. R-744’s outstanding thermal characteristics enable the energy-efficient NaturaLINE unit to achieve minus 40 degrees Celsius, along with significantly quieter operation, tighter temperature control and with no operating restrictions. Previously, reaching such a low temperature required a container system using a refrigerant with a GWP nearly 4,000 times higher than R-744. Environmentally sustainable refrigerant “TMPR tested NaturaLINE units in our fleet and found that in all temperature ranges, its capabilities surpassed our expectations,” said Jim Wagstaff, vice president operations, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico. It’s about leading the industry with environmentally sustainable products, such as NaturaLINE refrigeration units" The NaturaLINE unit’s deep-frozen capacity was an important factor for TMPR when considering moving cargoes, such as ice cream, through the tropics because of the high level of performance required to ensure optimal conditions. According to Wagstaff, the NaturaLINE unit’s use of environmentally sustainable refrigerant supports its pledge to be the most environmentally responsible organization in the maritime industry. “TOTE’s commitment to Puerto Rico is about more than reliable deliveries and exceptional customer service,” said Chris Willman, vice president sales & marketing, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico. “It’s about leading the industry with best-in-class, environmentally sustainable products, such as NaturaLINE refrigeration units and our emissions-reducing Marlin-class vessels, the first containerships efficiently powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), providing service to the island since 2015.” Helping clients reduce carbon footprints SeaCube Containers, one of the world’s largest purchasers and lessors of refrigerated containers, has been a proponent of the technologically advanced and innovative NaturaLINE unit as a way to help its clients reduce their carbon footprints. “With this order, we are pleased to be able to help TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico in achieving its environmental goals,” said Robert Sappio, CEO, SeaCube. “Through this commitment to NaturaLINE technology, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and SeaCube Containers are helping to advance the container shipping industry toward a more sustainable future,” Appel said.

Manchester-based Courier Express Refrigerated Transport has updated its fleet with two high-performance Carrier Transicold Supra® 850 MT (multi-temperature) units mounted to new 18-tonners, to support the company’s temperature-critical pharmaceutical and foodservice deliveries. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier, a global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. Supra units provide constant airflow, independent of engine speed, which means rapid pull-down Courier Express has been specifying Carrier Transicold units across its entire heavy goods vehicle fleet since its founding 16 years ago. The new Supra 850 MT units – fitted to bespoke-built Gray & Adams rigid bodies on Iveco Eurocargo chassis – are like-for-like replacements for older units that had provided the company with exceptional performance and reliability over a long life. Multi-Temperature Set Point Control “Carrier Transicold produces some of the most reliable temperature-controlled truck systems in the industry,” said John Lee, managing director, Courier Express Refrigerated Transport. “On top of this, every Carrier product we operate is intuitive and easy to use; the performance we get across our entire fleet is unparalleled.” The powerful Supra units provide constant airflow, independent of engine speed, which means rapid pull-down and accurate multi-temperature set point control. 24-Hour Operation Working on multi-drop delivery routes across the UK, each new vehicle will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is expected to clock up around 140,000 kilometres per year.  With its consistent performance, the Supra 850 MT unit is the ideal choice for high intensity delivery schedules. The service we get from Carrier Transicold Manchester is fantastic" With the fleet in constant operation, Courier Express can rely on Carrier Transicold Manchester – a member of Carrier Transicold’s extensive independent service partner network – to provide expert maintenance and service support if any issues occur. Carrier Transicold’s network service partners, based in 22 key locations across the UK, are independent companies that provide support to customers operating Carrier Transicold equipment on their light commercials, trucks and trailers. Between-Routine Servicing “On the rare occasion we’ve had any problems, the service we get from Carrier Transicold Manchester is fantastic. If we need to call them between routine servicing, the engineers always respond quickly and efficiently. They really look after us,” Lee said. Courier Express Refrigerated Transport was established in 2003. It operates nationwide and delivers a range of refrigerated transport services, including chilled and frozen foods, product samples, pharmaceuticals and emergency palletised goods.