Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) has launched a world-first App for local technicians to determine how much refrigerant is left in end-of-life air conditioning systems.
The App, which makes it easy for technicians to enter information about the systems they are replacing or uninstalling, is available now.
Australian technicians will be the first in the world to collect the data which will go into research to help limit the damaging effects refrigerant emissions have on the environment.
The study was first announced at last year's CCN Live event with RRA CEO, Michael Bennett, pointing out that the research will finally establish how much refrigerant remains in the 10 million units currently installed in Australia.
“These units are on top of another one million units purchased every year,” he said.
“We just don't know how much refrigerant there is at end of life for these consumer durables.
“There is likely to be at least half a charge left in these systems, maybe more. But we need to know what the end of life period is and how much refrigerant is left in them so we can recover it.”
Bennett checked in with organisations around the globe seeking to get this information.
“Nobody had any idea so we are going to go ahead and find out for ourselves,” he said.
As well as contributing to important research, users of the App will go into weekly draws to win a heap of great prizes including four $200 vouchers from JB Hi-Fi, Bunnings Warehouse, BCF and Caltex.
There are also two grand prizes of $5000 to be won.
“So not only can operators help lessen the damaging effect of refrigerant emission but they can also win great prizes in the process,” Bennett said.
“The RRA app is easy to use and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, or from the Google Store.
“Alternatively, users can find it by searching for the Refrigerant Recovery Research App.”
As a non-profit organisation, RRA has already destroyed more than 6,500 tonnes of refrigerant resulting in the preservation of more than 10 million tonnes of stratospheric ozone, and the prevention of the emission of more than 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
“RRA relies on the benevolence and goodwill of ambassadors to help conduct its research,” Bennett said.
“Various studies have identified more than half the refrigerant installed in Australia is in split air-conditioning systems.
“To collect this refrigerant at end-of-life and further reduce environmental harm, we need information. So download the App and help make refrigerant waste a thing of the past.”
Go to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.com.refrigerantreclaim.app