HVAC Risks: EPA Fines and Refrigerant Regulations with Keilly Whitman & Jason Obrzut

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In this episode of Did You Know? Esco HVAC Podcast, Clifton Beck is joined by Jason Obrzut and Keilly Witman to discuss the significant changes in the HVAC industry, particularly the shift in refrigerants and their environmental impact. They talk about how the industry is moving toward more environmentally friendly refrigerants and the importance of understanding Global Warming Potential (GWP). Jason and Keilly explain what GWP is and why it's so important for HVAC professionals to know about it as the industry evolves.

Key Takeaways:

• The Shift in Refrigerants – The industry is transitioning to refrigerants with lower GWP to reduce global warming effects, but this shift presents challenges in terms of technology and regulations.
• Understanding GWP and ODP – GWP (Global Warming Potential) and ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) are two key metrics used to measure the environmental impact of refrigerants. The episode breaks down how GWP values are calculated and how they impact HVAC systems and the environment.
• Why GWP 20 vs. GWP 100 Matters – The discussion clarifies why it's important to measure refrigerants' impact over different time spans (20 years vs. 100 years) and why some states are using GWP 20 to assess more immediate environmental impacts.
• The Role of Education in the Transition – HVAC professionals and educators need to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to manage these refrigerant transitions, making it essential to stay informed and ahead of regulations.

Noteworthy Quotes:

• "Doing the right thing environmentally often turns out to be the right thing financially." – Keilly Witman
• "Whether you believe in global warming or not, letting refrigerants out is still pollution." – Jason Obrzut
• "The refrigerants we use now are in the middle of their phase-out, and new refrigerants with ultra-low GWP are on the horizon." – Clifton Beck
• "Understanding GWP over 20 years is critical to understanding the true environmental impact of refrigerants." – Keilly Witman