Week 52 July 17 | Sustainability | SIU

Hello Saluki Green Action Team! 

Did you know: In October 2016, more than 170 countries reached a global mandatory agreement to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) during an historic meeting in Kigali, Rwanda? Why is the globe convening to talk AC units? Because according to Drawdown, refrigerant management is the #1 solution to keeping our planet cool. 

Just what are HFC's you ask? Hydrofluorocarbons are the substance in your air conditioner and refrigerator that are responsible for the CHILLING action that we crave on these hot summer days. Remember when we used to talk about the hole in the ozone? That was caused by refrigerant substances that we stopped using once we found out that they were causing a giant hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica! Yay for great intentions! We replaced that substance with HFC's, but ooops! HFC's have the capacity to warm the atmosphere 1,000-9,000 times more than carbon dioxide does. 

Good news: Your AC unit cycles through HFC's. As long as there are no leaks, your AC won't be giving off any harmful HFC's into the environment. 

Bad news: sorry– leaking is a very common issue with AC units! No worries – keep on reading. 

Take Action: Your AC unit gives you a few clues when it is leaking. Listen for these signs. If you think you have a leak, do not top it off! Call and have your system looked at professionally.  

 -Registers aren't blowing cool air or you have low air flow : As a quick check, put your hand over the vent. If the air is not as cold as it should be, it could mean you have a leak. 

-Your system is running for longer periods and your bills are higher than normal: Low refrigerant can lead to the machine not operating efficiently.  

-Hissing Sounds: There could be a hole or crack in the coils that circulate your refrigerant. 

-Frozen ice on your coils: Your levels are low and the coils aren't absorbing heat properly. 

Sources:  

Awarded top 100 HVAC blogs: https://aristair.com/blog/what-are-the-signs-of-an-ac-refrigerant-leak/ 

Updated EPA regulations: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/608_fact_sheet_supermarkets_property_managers_0.pdf 

Common Questions: https://www.epa.gov/ods-phaseout/homeowners-and-consumers-frequently-asked-questions 

Refrigerants and the law: http://www.allqualityair.com/aqaservices/freon-law/ 

Sources:   
Awarded top 100 HVAC blogs  
Refrigerants and the law 

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Keep up the great work,  
Saluki Green Action Team 
greenaction@siu.edu