"Decarbonization can be unifying or very divisive," noted Kimberly Llewellyn, senior product manager for emerging markets at Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US, on Jan. 24 at the 2024 AHR Expo in Chicago. "However, we're fighting for stewardship of precious resources."
When looking at decarbonization, stakeholders need to "choose their lens," she said: asset/investment risk management, climate justice and preservation, and financial opportunities.
A Forbes magazine article noted that millennials are looking at sustainable investments; they are "the next wave of investors" in the sustainability space, Llewellyn said.
Strategies for decarbonization of the built environment include reducing building loads, maximizing financial benefits, engaging all key stakeholders, reducing refrigerant impact, and building out electric infrastructure.
The missing link is quality data monitoring, Llewellyn noted. Data points to examine are occupancy. mode of operation, setpoint, temperature/relative humidity, local exhaust ventilation position, return/supply air temperature, liquid/gas line temperature, and total capacity.
Llewellyn gave a quick rundown on regulatory changes engineers and contractors should be aware of:
- 2023: Efficiency Changes and the Inflation Reduction Act
- DOE efficiencies and M1 (SEER2/HSPF2)
- Energy Star 6.1 and CEE
- 25C tax credit
- High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program
- HOMES
- 2024: Low Global-Warming Potential (A2L) Refrigerants Referenced
- UL 60335-2-40
- Uniform Mechanical Code
- International Residential Code
- International Mechanical Code
- California Mechanical Code
- 2025: Low GWP Refrigerant Transition, Part 1
- Single zone
- Multizone
- Single phase
- Less than 65,000 Btuh systems, GWP less than 700
- 2026: Low GWP Refrigerant Transition, Part 2
- VRF
- Three phase
- Less than 65,000 Btuh systems, GWP less than 700
- 2030: Low GWP Refrigerant Transition, Part 3
- No HCFC manufacture or import
"Every building should be an asset, not a liability," she said. "And buildings should be things people are drawn to."