Over 2,800 chillers still use CFCs

Since 1995, just under half (47.5%) of all the chillers in Canada that used CFCs have either been replaced or converted to use alternative, less harmful refrigerants. The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) reported its 2007 results of the Canadian CFC chiller stock study in June.
CFCs are chlorofluorocarbons, a class of chemicals that, when released into the atmosphere, damage the earth’s ozone layer. They are being phased out as a result of the harm they do to the environment.
During the year 2007, 276 chillers that used CFCs as a refrigerant were converted or replaced. The figure represents a 23% increase compared to the previous year.
The total number of conversions or replacements of CFC chillers to date since the baseline stock was established at 5,486 units in 1995 is 2,608. There still remain 2,878 chillers that use CFCs.
The HRAI study uses “chiller” to refer to equipment that has a centrifugal-type compressor, an evaporator, a water-cooled condenser and that has a capacity range of 100 to 1,200 tons. Most of this equipment is the type used for air-conditioning systems in buildings.