The R-22 Phaseout: The Manufacturers Speak Out

Page 4 of 20

Carrier

A1: I think higher efficiency standards are coming in the future. So we'll have to push the technology beyond where it is today, and look at things such as variable speed compressors, more zoning, better humidity control for tighter homes, and energy recovery ventilators. Those types of things will become more prevalent in the future.

A2: For Carrier this is a little bit of yesterday's news. We've been doing Puron (R-410A) for 14 years. About 80 to 90% of our business in 2009 is already in R-410A. The only real challenge has come in cases where contractors are trying to use components that are already in place, such as linesets that are in a wall and can't be replaced. Or maybe they changed out a coil a year or two ago in an R-22 system and would like to continue using that coil with an R-410A system. Those questions have now pretty well been answered, and we have well-documented procedures in place for dealing with those types of things.

A3: Since Carrier long ago began making the changeover, the changeover should be seamless for distributors. Right now people are retrofitting rather than replacing, and I think that's mostly a legacy of the efficiency change in 2006 that drove equipment prices higher. That increased the cost to replace rather than repair. The other factor is the recession. There are many people who are trying to spend the least amount of money that they can, and even if it means spending more money later, they seem ready to repair rather than replace right now. As we move out of the recession, the repair vs. replace decision will likely tip toward replace, and our distributors will benefit.

Contact: Alex Yovanovich, vice president, Public Relations, Caldwell VanRiper, 317/638-9158, ayovanovich@CVRindy.com.

Diversitech

A1: The changeover creates a huge opportunity for us as systems begin converting away from R-22. The challenge for DiversiTech is to help our customers by providing an easy solution for contractors when converting these systems over to the new refrigerants.

A2: Our new Pro-Flush^™ line flushing solvent has been very successful in helping contractors with these changeovers. The specially formulated Pro-Flush^™ solvent breaks down the molecular bond of the previous refrigeration oil sticking to the internal surfaces of the system and ensures that all traces are flushed out during the cleaning process. Pro-Flush makes the process quick and easy.

The Pro-Flush^™ kit has everything in the box to undertake a complete system clean-out, including a 16-ounce container of Pro-Flush^™ solvent, a refillable aluminum cylinder with pressure relief valve, a service hose and injector tool with an adapter for up to 1-1/8-inch copper pipe.

The Pro-Flush^™ system is easy to use and does not require the use of a pump of any kind. The Pro-Flush^™ system uses something that most service techs carry in their vehicle anyway as the propellant to “push” the Pro-Flush^™ solvent through the system — nitrogen.

A3: We think this challenge and the Pro-Flush solution will offer HARDI members a great new product to help meet the needs of their customer contractors.

Contact: Kevin Wilkinson, marketing manager, 678-542-3600 x1030, kwilkinson@diversitech.com.