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Refrigeration Leak Detection
Refrigeration Leak Detection
On July 1, 1992 the Manitoba Government was the first Province to legislate and mandate training of all refrigeration and air conditioning technicians. The National Trade Association HRAI Canada along with Environment Canada developed a 
training program, which each Custom Vac technician completed. The environmental awareness-training program was the first attempt to change past practices that were harmful to the environment.
Brian Baker, currently President of Custom Vac Limited, was part of the original Working Group on Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). This group who was instrumental in the new regulations being passed by the Legislators.
F. Sherwood Rowland, Ph.D. and Mario Molina, Ph.D. were the first to discover that the ozone surrounding the earth was deteriorating. Unless we stopped the venting of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere, the trend of increased ozone depletion would eventually lead to total devastation of life on the planet. The way in which ozone is destroyed is somewhat complicated but to put it in simple terms, it is a violent chemical reaction in the stratosphere resulting in the destruction of the ozone molecule.
It is important that consumers understand that it took years to prove that the ozone layer was being destroyed.
Refrigerants are very hard to detect and this makes our task of repair an interesting one. Leak detection is still considered the black magic of any service business. Regardless of the circumstances, it is impossible for us to explain all of the hidden talent involved with complete leak detection investigations.
However, there is one real fact: the Manitoba Government regulation prohibits the top-up of any refrigeration appliance. Appliances must be tested to make certain that they are leak free. Further, all refrigerant must be reclaimed and not vented into the atmosphere. If you would like more information regarding Ozone Depletion Substances or the Manitoba regulations, use the hyperlink that we have provided for you to the Manitoba Ozone Depletion Industry Association (MOPIA).
Leak detection testing is and has become an integral part of HVACR practices. There are many ways to detect leaks: from soap bubbles, refrigerants containing staining or fluorescent dyes, thermal conductivity, ultrasonic, halide and the good old eye that looks for unusual signs of a leaking fittings, joints, etc.
Since the cost of refrigerants increases annually and others are being completely phased out, the need for leak detection is more important now than ever before. If the new refrigerants are just as expensive as those being phased out, it only makes sense to conserve them. When considered in this manner, leak detection will usually result in savings over the life expectancy of the equipment as well as performance.
Custom Vac's trained technicians have the qualifications and knowledge necessary to ensure that your air conditioning system maintains its integrity and the possibilities for refrigerant leakage minimized. If in the event that your equipment should develop a leak, you can be assured that our technicians will make that repair following all regulations and environmental standards set out by governments and industry.
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