Acetylene oxygen is 10 times more flammable than A2L refrigerants. Most good contractors and technicians don’t hang their torches loosely in the back of the truck. They also don’t allow acetylene nor oxygen bottles to roll around.
Many technicians get scared when they think about A2Ls, and that’s because they have yet to acquire the proper knowledge and experience. Proper education with a good understanding of these refrigerants’ properties and how to work with them will provide technicians with the same comfort level they have today.
Education is EVERYTHING
Anytime there is a change, fear always follows. The key to alleviating anxiety is education and certification. That’s why most HVAC equipment manufacturers provide training and certifications for people who work on their products. ESCO’s eLearning network has several free and paid courses (some of which provide NATE credits) about A2L refrigerants.
Some manufacturers also have webinars and courses available through ESCO’s eLearning network. You can find a list of resources below.
The secret is understanding what you’re working on and knowing what limitations and safety precautions to take. The fact is, A2Ls, including R-32, will be the prominent refrigerants used in HVAC equipment in the United States by 2026, so the HVAC service industry really can’t shy away from it.
Resources
- The facts about R-32 and R-454B: ncilink.com/A2L-Facts
- Daikin Atmosphera R-32 Single Zone Heating and Cooling System: ncilink.com/Atmosphera
- 32 Reasons For R-32 Website ncilink.com/32Reasons
- Daikin Training Center: ncilink.com/DaikinTraining.
Roman Baugh is a Director of Commercial HVAC for Kalos Services. He spent 17 years working in central Florida’s mechanical and industrial trades as a senior technical support manager, HVAC service manager, project foreman, and service technician. Before his time at Daikin in 2021, he was the first technician in the U.S. to install a complete R-32-based mini-split system. He can be reached at ncilink.com/ContactMe.
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