IIAR Task Force Keeps Members Up to Date on the AIM Act
“We have a great responsibility and opportunity to influence the marketplace and help to correct climate change,” Garrido said while speaking during an IIAR webinar on the AIM Act.
The AIM Act represents an important opportunity to highlight the role that natural refrigerants can play in addressing climate challenges. “The AIM Act Task Force is developing plans to increase awareness about the AIM Act, related regulations, and how companies can utilize natural refrigerants as they transition from high global warming potential refrigerants,” said Lowell Randel, senior vice president of government and legal affairs for the Global Cold Chain Alliance.
The task force has met numerous times to develop resources and materials for the implementation of the AIM Act. “The AIM Act is a very significant piece of legislature, and it is already having significant impacts on the industry,” said John Collins, industrial sales manager for Zero Zone.
The task force has several goals. “One is to inform everybody about the AIM Act and keep people up to date on the rule-making,” Collins said, adding that IIAR is well positioned to present natural refrigerants as a logical response to the AIM Act. “We want to point out all of the benefits of natural refrigerants—energy efficiency, ease of use, low cost, and availability.”
There is a button on IIAR’s website dedicated to the AIM Act that features AIM fact sheets and additional details. “We are trying to educate the industry about it,” said Eric Smith, vice president, and technical director for IIAR. “You don’t have to be a member to access it.”
IIAR is also putting together information to counter some of the negative information manufacturers are producing and promulgating about natural refrigerants.
Once the AIM Act is fully integrated and up to speed, it will position natural refrigerants as a more attractive option than it has been in the past because
the new synthetic chemicals have some disadvantages by comparison.
“They are expensive, availability is a concern, especially in developing countries, and they have some characteristics that can cause operational or diagnostic
issues, such as glide and fractionation. The main thing is that any of the new HFO blends are fluorinated and can release per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS),” Smith said, adding that
there are already movements in Europe to ban these types of refrigerants. “The good thing is that natural refrigerants don’t have these, and they will never be banned.”
IIAR can play a significant role in the market shift. “As an organization, we can be ready to fill the void that the industry has,” Collins said, adding that IIAR has wanted to be proactive in aiding with the transition.
The task force has several goals. “One is to inform everybody about the AIM Act and keep people up to date on the rulemaking,” Collins said, adding that IIAR is well positioned to present natural refrigerants as a logical response to the AIM Act. “We want to point out all of the benefits of natural refrigerants—energy efficiency, ease of use, low cost, and availability
David Fauser, director of sales for CIMCO Refrigeration, said those in the industry always want to provide value to their customers, and education about the AIM Act is critical to help customers with a long-term decision. “When customers are deciding on an investment for a thermal system and then have to replace it before the end of its useful life, that is a terrible position,” he said.
Because piping is so integrated in a building, the wrong choice of a system can be determinantal to its future. “It is important to understand the AIM Act. Bringing the facts and educating our client is a simple way we can bring value,” Fauser said.
