Refrigerant leaks have plagued commercial refrigeration contractors for many years. Since the beginning of this decade, however, leak prevention in commercial refrigeration systems has taken on an entirely new importance, due to legislative mandates, industry initiatives, and the demands of customers — especially major supermarket chains — who want to save money, and be perceived as more environmentally friendly organizations.

Leak prevention, and its many action-item subsets were among the topics discussed at the ContractingBusiness.com and Supermarket News Refrigeration Roundtable, which was held during HVAC Comfortech/HVACR Week in September 2010. The Refrigeration Roundtable was a one-day dissection of issues, and a sharing of the best practices some leading refrigeration contractors and their supermarket customers are taking to manage those issues.

Hill Phoenix, Heatcraft Worldwide Refrigeration, and Service Net HVACR Division sponsored the event. Sponsor panelists were John Gallaher, director of marketing and business development, refrigeration systems division, Hill Phoenix; Grady McAdams, vice president of sales and marketing for North America, Heatcraft; and Craig Funke, president/CEO, Service Net HVACR Division.

This month, we begin a four-part series devoted to the issues discussed at the Roundtable. In future issues, we’ll offer information on training, alternative refrigeration systems, maintenance issues, and technician certification.

Leak Prevention's 'Good Cop'
A major development in leak prevention in supermarkets is the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) GreenChill program. GreenChill member stores must reduce refrigerant leaks, and use more green refrigeration technologies, strategies, and practices. The program also includes refrigeration manufacturers and refrigerant producers as members. GreenChill is something of a refrigeration industry "good cop," that wants to work together with the industry, rather than wield a heavy hammer of sanctions. GreenChill members find the change to be more conducive to progress, and that GreenChill has been a helpful agent of change.

"GreenChill has provided a friendly portal into the EPA for the industry," said Benny Smith, vice-president, facilities, Price Chopper, Schenectady, NY. "I think they've done a good job of raising awareness of environmental issues. They've encouraged all of the supermarket partners to set goals, work toward those goals, and make a commitment that we might not have made otherwise. They've done a good job of promoting dialogue among members, and they've been a good source of data, specifications, and other trade information."

Panelists believe GreenChill's refreshing approach is just one reason for the program’s success.

"The relationship we had with the EPA six or seven years ago was strained," recalled Harrison Horning, director of energy and facility services, Delhaize, America, parent company of Hannaford Bros., Scarborough, ME. "The dialogue was difficult, because we were talking about the rules and how they were interpreted and enforced. I think GreenChill gives us some really good context, and a framework to talk about issues, learn from each other, and share information and experiences. I’m pleased that we signed onto it."

"From the supermarket standpoint, it's a good thing to have friendly communication with the EPA. It's also in contractors' best interests to reduce refrigerant leaks and improve the system," said contractor Ron Smith, president, DHR Mechanical, Woodstock, GA.

GreenChill is not open to contractors, however, some contractors — including our panelists, are keeping track of what types of guidance the best supermarkets are seeking from contractors, based on GreenChill parameters.

Jim Salamone, president, Precision Mechanical, Southampton, PA, now in its sixth year, has dealt with logistical, financial, and legal perspectives of the industry on a regular basis. He appreciates GreenChill as a source of information.

"I see that there are several best practices that are advertised and available to everybody to view, so it does allow us to start evaluating it as a resource," he said. "I think if there was room for contractors to participate and continue this type of dialogue, we could continue to go toward a common goal. We all want the same thing, and that opens up an environment for us to do it."

Contractor panelist Dan Steffen, vice president, AAA Refrigeration Services, Bronx, NY — the 2008 ContractingBusiness.com Commercial Refrigeration Contractor of the Year — became aware of GreenChill through the Food Management Institute's (FMI's) Energy Conference, and later signed up to receive FMI web blasts. He stays in touch with supermarket colleagues, such as panelists Jon Perry, director, energy and maintenance, Farm Fresh, Virginia Beach, VA, and Price Chopper's Benny Smith. That friendship has kept him in the loop regarding the advanced systems they're using.

"By interacting with Jon and Benny, I've been able to see and marvel at the advanced technology they’re using for their stores," Steffen said.

"We service several retail customers consisting of chain stores and independents, who still don't have in-house refrigerant tracking," Steffen related. "Several aren't familiar with EPA regulations and requirements, so we provide them with tracking reports, to make sure they're compliant."