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The power requirement and the use of fluorocarbons as coolant, which are known Ozone depleters. And as a sad indictment of international environmental policy, Montreal, widely acknowledged as the most sucessful environmental treaty ever, still never managed to put a sensible timetable on the phazing out of the use of Ozone depleting fluorocarbons,

And the fact that in most places of the world where AC is used, it's a completely unnecessary form of environmental degredation

http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/22phaseout.html

Background: Ban on Production and Imports of Ozone-Depleting Refrigerants
In 1987 the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental agreement, established requirements that began the worldwide phaseout of ozone-depleting CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). These requirements were later modified, leading to the phase out in 1996 of CFC production in all developed nations. In addition, a 1992 amendment to the Montreal Protocol established a schedule for the phaseout of HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons). HCFCs are substantially less damaging to the ozone layer than CFCs, but still contain ozone-destroying chlorine. The Montreal Protocol as amended is carried out in the U.S. through Title VI of the Clean Air Act, which is implemented by EPA.

An HCFC known as R-22 has been the refrigerant of choice for residential heat pump and air-conditioning systems for more than four decades. Unfortunately for the environment, releases of R-22 that result from system leaks contribute to ozone depletion. In addition, the manufacture of R-22 results in a by-product that contributes significantly to global warming. As the manufacture of R-22 is phased out over the coming years as part of the agreement to end prouction of HCFCs, manufacturers of residential air conditioning systems are beginning to offer equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants. Many homewners may be misinformed about how much longer R-22 will be available to service their central A/C systems and heat pumps. This fact sheet provides information about the transition away from R-22, the future availability of R-22, and the new refrigerants that are replacing R-22. This document also assists consumers in deciding what to consider when purchasing a new A/C system or heat pump, or when having an existing system repaired.


Phaseout Schedule for HCFCs Including R-22
Under the terms of the Montreal Protocol, the U.S. agreed to meet certain obligations by specific dates that will affect the residential heat pump and air-conditioning industry:

January 1, 2004:
In accordance with the terms of the Montreal Protocol, the amount of all HCFCs that can be produced nationwide must be reduced by 35% by 2004. In order to achieve this goal, the U.S. is ceasing production of HCFC-141b, the most ozone-damaging of this class of chemicals, on January 1, 2003. This production ban will greatly reduce nationwide use of HCFCs as a group, making it likely that the 2004 deadline will have a minimal effect on R-22 supplies.

January 1, 2010:
After 2010, chemical manufacturers may still produce R-22 to service existing equipment, but not for use in new equipment. As a result, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system manufacturers will only be able to use pre-existing supplies of R-22 to produce new air conditioners and heat pumps. These existing supplies would include R-22 recovered from existing equipment and recycled.

January 1, 2020:
Use of existing refrigerant, including refrigerant that has been recovered and recycled, will be allowed beyond 2020 to service existing systems, but chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce R-22 to service existing air conditioners and heat pumps.
For more information about this phaseout, see fact sheets about the HCFC Phaseout Schedule and the Update on HCFC Allowance Allocation System Regulations.



Last edited by tiny_clanger at 22-Dec-2005 06:00

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I like to think that whoever designed marine life was thinking of it as basically an entertainment medium. That would explain some of the things down there, some of the unearthly biological contraptions

Nice one Calla! I've had my A/C for over a year, so I thought I'd taken it for granted, but in the last couple of days I've been ready to give it a big hug! The rooms that don't have it are almost impossible to be in for more than a few minutes. It's necessary all right.

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

Calla, Calla meeee toooo come next tuesday. My bedroom was 30.5 degrees celcius in the recent heat. The boxes of 'stuff' were delivered yesterday and the installation will occur next week. Bliss!

We are in sync! [img src='/images/forums/halo.gif' border=0] [icicles not wings!]

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

meh, a/c is overrated... you don't really need it, especially not for 30C

---

"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

I gone from AC to no AC


DAM it is hot!!

Oh sure Calla,
I'm sitting here in the house surrounded by snow, with heavy wool socks on but toes so cold you could make ice cubes and you're happy you got A/C???? That's just crazy....

Not to mention a/c is one of the larger single causes of global warming.

Last edited by longhairedgit at 16-Dec-2005 07:14

and ozone depletion.

I had an American the other day complaining at me that UK hotels generally don't have AC. Umm, yeah. COS IT'S COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY IN THIS CLIMATE! *rollseyes*


But I hope you enjoy yours Calla, at least it's fairly essential in that heat

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I like to think that whoever designed marine life was thinking of it as basically an entertainment medium. That would explain some of the things down there, some of the unearthly biological contraptions

a/c is never essential.

AC! We're freezing over here, and we have snow!

Aussies.

Anyway, glad to hear it Cally. I'd work on the SW tank idea. You'll save money by having AC...no need for a chiller. Oh...but you will have a sickening amount of evap.


-Ferret [img src='/images/forums/halo.gif' border=0]

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

The greenhouse thing did occur to me. I struggled with the concept before buying an a/c myself. If I was able to build my own joint I would position to capture the natural breezes.

As it stands I live in an apartment, my little corner does not always have a window that is facing the direction to catch breeze coming through. Lucky people on the other side of the building. I sympathise with Calla... my bedroom is so hot you cannot SLEEP. And Calla's partner is from Europe so the heat would be even more taxing for him.

My city is very humid and hot. I guess cooling is as essential to us as warming is for those who are surrounded in snow. Fact of life.

Peeps on their high horses should think about their own greenhouse emitting habits a bit first...Put down that styrofoam wrapped cheeseburger. Yeah the one you bought in the drive thorough from your gas guzzling air conditioned beastie SUV!

Don't judge until you have walked a mile ...

Last edited by wish-ga at 15-Dec-2005 16:13

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Ohh, its so chilly in here!

The techs/electrician arrived at 9:45 this morning and 3 hours later I have a bedroom you could sleep in! its just devine!

And to make it even better the condenser unit is pretty hushy, so no complaining neighbours YAY!

*so excited*

Next time though i'll check to see if I have drinks for the guys. This time, I *thought* I had drinks, but I really only had a large cos lettuce Can't drink that


Now... do you think I can convince the OH that we really need a SW tank in the bedroom? maybe the axies?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Meh you dont need no stinkin AC *says the babel that complains about 100+F and 98% humidity for weeks on end*


I've got AC too *opens the door* ahhhh nice and cool


*curls up in electric blanket*

congrats though calla, enjoy but don't use it too much.....just what we need more people wasting electricity .

^_^ [hr width='40%'][/font]

Hi,
I beg to differ with the comment that A/C is never
essential. One summer on the east coast with 100+
degrees, and 100% humidity and you will value A/C
as dear as life.

However, that is why we moved out here and into the
mountians. You don't need A/C at 10,000 feet.


Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I never realized how much I loved my central air till the unit broke in the middle of August


Our family was pretty miserable, especially the 3 year old.

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

I don't use heaters, they aren't essential.

Anyone that says A/C is never essential has obviously never tried to sleep in 30 degree heat (yes even at night sometimes) and over 80% humidity, it's sickening and tiring. AC becomes essential to a person's health.

I wish I had the luxury of living in a house where all you had to do was open all the windows and let nature do the work, I have to rely on electricity.

Well, its definately worth it IMO

It cools the bedroom in 10 minutes flat, so if the day is under 35*C I can just bum around with the windows open and fans on and then just flick it on before we try sleeping.

If its 40ish (becoming increasingly common around here) I can get a good book and curl up on the bed Its seriously overpowered for just the bedroom, so it cools very quickly. And its quiet! Totally awesome! Only thing I have to do now is figure out the remote


Like Wish, I also thought about the greenhouse gas thing, and as much as I realise i'm contributing to the problem I do my best in other areas of my life to keep it down. The other choice is having my health suffer to the point where I am so buggered that I cannot function, which is (possibly selfishly) why I chose the A/C.

I must point out that we have taken every other passive cooling measure we can afford. The house is insulated, the windows are tinted and all have vertical blinds, and we are installing 2 extra whirlybirds (roof ventilation turbines) and 4 extra vents under the eaves bringing the total to 3 whirlybirds and 7 vents, which is seriously overkill. I'm also a cotton clothing person and I keep bottles of ice and the like in the freezer to curl up with.
I know it doesn't make the A/C any better for the environment, but it does cut the amount of times it would have to be used and it probably cuts energy wastage too.
And we have gas heating for winter, nothing like AC heating to blow the powerbill through the roof
Future plans include double glazing for the rear windows, more shade plants out front to cut summer morning sun and a patio cover for the rear of the house, hopefully cutting the heat even more.
There will also be a 2nd A/C unit for the other end of the house that will be able to operate independantly of the current one. This was partially a cost consideration, but primarily to allow both machines to be operated independently. We considered ducted A/C, but it seemed silly to run one big noisy machine to cool a small section of the house, so two smaller machines made more sense.

^^ probably TMI, but I don't want anyone to think that we dived into this without any thought of how to otherwise cool the house and get maximum efficiency out of the device. As much as I understand the concerns about the environment, I also understand that it takes a lot of energy for a human to stay cool in high humidity, high temperature conditions, and I just don't have enough to spare.



For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

well, having grown up in texas without A/C, i can tell you that it is very possible to tolerate the heat without a/c. during summers with 100+F (38+C) temps and upwards of 80% humidity and it is definitely nasty inside the house, but that's what fans are for

---

"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

&lt;hands moondog a spoon&gt;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Well, enjoy doggy I aint gunna fight you for that heat You are a stronger man than I am

If I had my way we'd be living in Tassie, but alas, its not to be Give me crisp winds and the ability to wear any one of my numerous jackets any day of the week!

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

kinda makes you wonder how man ever survived for a few million years w/o it.