NEWS

Dear Member & Industry Colleagues

As an industry, through our publications, you will be aware that we are setting up a training scheme to bring our members in line with it responsibilities under HSNO act in regards to Fillers and Handlers in the refrigeration and air conditioning trade. This affects any technicians, trades people and engineers who currently in involved in the filling and recovery of refrigerants in any field.

The scheme will be run by RACCA/IRHACE and administered by NZ HEVAC Ltd. MTA and the Appliances sector as key industry partners.

Over the few months more information will be circulated to industry and we look forward to having the Fillers and Handlers Certification Scheme up and running in 2011.

Click here to download the licensing categories. All enquiries / feedback to admin@irhace.org.nz

We are encouraging all of industry to show their support of this scheme by communicating directly to the relevant association (below) as well as their refrigerant supplier.

Supporters of Industry training & best practice: Pattons, Refrigeration Engineering, Cooling Supplies, Heatcraft.

We are encouraging all of industry to show their support of this scheme by communicating directly to the relevant association (below) as well as their refrigerant supplier.

Regards
Matthew Darby
Chairman
RACCA
admin@racca.org.nz

"IN FROM THE COLD" Submission

PHASEOUT

"The import of all CFCs for refrigeration and foam blowing was prohibited from 1 January 1996. Many products made with or containing CFCs are also prohibited from being imported. HCFC-123 and all other HCFCs are under the same phase-down and phase-out as R22 i.e. reducing imports in 2010, imports prohibited from 1 January 2015." - if you require any more information please contact Ministry of Economic Development.

Schedule for Phasing Out HCFC Refrigerants under the Ozone Protection Act

Stage 1 Base Year Allocation
Permit allocation based on previous use

Stage 2 1996
Reduction to 75% of base, entitlements then issued for this reduced amount

Stage 3 2000
Reduction to 66% of base on all issued permits

Stage 4 2006
Complete phaseout of CFC-converted permits

Stage 5 2010
Reduction of 25% of issued base amount for HCFC permits

Stage 6 2015
Complete phaseout of HCFC permits

For further information:

www.refrigerantrecovery.co.nz
www.med.govt.nz

With SMART PROCUREMENT you’ll save up to 55% with GSB Motor Vehicles & Fleet Services

If you have a company vehicle or fleet and you’re a RACCA GSB Member, you can save up to 55% in vehicle costs by using our exclusive supplier arrangements and the services of our dedicated vehicle specialists.

With GSB Motor Vehicles, you get the best deals on new vehicles, accessories, custom fit-outs, ongoing on-road costs and the sale of your old vehicles – you’ll find all the information you need in the attached brochure.

We can also provide you with the latest vehicle information and objective benchmarked knowledge to ensure you purchase the best fit-for-purpose vehicle to meet your business needs. So if you’re in the market for new vehicles, contact our Motor Vehicle team on 0508 20 30 40 or email us at ask@gsb.co.nz.

With smart procurement you’ll maximise the value of your vehicle or fleet.

Building controls update 104: Consultation on proposals for the reform of the Building Act

http://www.dbh.govt.nz/consulting-on-building-act
If you do provide a response to DBH, please copy to admin@irhace.org.nz.

MEPS Update for Heat Pumps

Please be advised that from April 2010 registrations for all heat pumps or air conditioners will need to meet the requirements of the revised MEPS and labelling Standard AS/NZS 3823.2:2009. Early registrations to this standard for new models are encouraged.

Note that old stock which was listed to the older standard may be sold and may display the old label until the old stock is depleted, but new stock must meet the new requirements.

EECA expects that the standards for these products will be incorporated into regulation from April 2010. The regulations will take effect 28 days after they are announced in the NZ gazette.

For further details on the new label and requirements follow this link: http://www.eeca.govt.nz/node/1310

NZ Commercial Refrigeration Strategy Forum

The NZ Commercial Refrigeration Strategy Forum will be held in Wellington at the EECA offices on Wednesday the 2nd December 2009. The day will run from 9am to 5.30pm. Please RSVP to Lisa Sinclair: Lisa.Sinclair@eeca.govt.nz by friday 20th November.

RACCA WATCH October 2009 (click to download)

Update on EECA Energy Wise Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart - Ministerial reply to RACCA concerns

"MEPS Update for Computer Rooms and Close Control Air Conditioners"

Please be advised that EECA plan to introduce minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for computer room or close control air conditioners no earlier than December 2009.

From the date of implementation, only computer room air conditioners that are tested and comply with the standards cited in the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 may be offered for sale.

However, computer room air conditioners that were imported into or manufactured in New Zealand prior to the MEPS coming into force may be sold.

Computer room air conditioners used an estimated 138 GWh/yr in electricity in 2006, and energy consumption is expected to increase. The MEPS is estimated to reduce energy costs to business a total of $24.8 million by 2020.

The MEPS for computer room air conditioners takes into consideration public comment received following the release of a regulatory impact statement in 2008.

The MEPS level for all units is an energy effciency ratio (EER) of 2.62. The MEPS covers both water and air cooled units, and are based on testing the indoor unit alone.

There are steps you must take to meet the requirements of the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002.

Check out:
· Regulatory steps - manufacturers/importers

The relevant Standard cited in the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations states the minimum energy performance quirements for close control air conditioners. Standards are available from the Standards New Zealand.

The energy performance standards for computer room air conditioners are:
· AS/NZS 4965.1 includes the scope and test method.
· AS/NZS 4965.2 covers MEPS requirements.

The scope of the Standard covers factory-made close control air conditioners utilising a single or multiple refrigerated direct expansion (DX) system, designed to control and monitor temperature and humidity, and may include supplementary conditioning equipment.

Close control air conditioners are used for applications where temperature and humidity are required to be monitored and maintained within narrow limits - for example, computer rooms, data processing units, telecommunication facilities and other industrial process areas.

Exemptions
Close-coupled row-based cooling units are exempt from the MEPS. These are cooling devices designed to be mounted in the row containing the rack enclosures, and is placed in such a way that it takes air from a hot isle, cools it and discharges it to a cold aisle. To qualify for an exemption the particular unit must be designed for, and the manufacturer shall have published operating data up to a minimum of 35C DB entering air temperature.

Notice to all Product Principles

Applications to participate in the Pilot scheme have now closed and the final list of Product Principles and their eligible products will be on EECA's ENERGYWISE website by the middle of next week. EECA is pleased with the scheme's progress because of the participation level and numbers of products have exceeded expectations, and notes that early market uptake signs are encouraging.

New Heat Pump Standard

Please be advised that there are changes proposed to the Standard for heat pumps and air conditioners AS/NZS 3823.2. Most of these proposed changes have already been outlined in a regulatory impact statement released in September 2008. However, some of the proposed changes are delayed or additional and have not yet been consulted on. The draft standard will be available for public comment on www.saiglobal.com as a part of the Standards consultation process.

EECA plans to call the new Standard into regulation, and we are keen to ensure that the New Zealand industry are aware of the following changes to the current standard:

More stringent Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) levels for selected products (under 10 kW output) for cooling mode.
Introducing MEPS levels for heating mode for the first time for all products with a heating function - this will be the same COP for heating as the EER is for cooling.
A new energy labeling algorithm and label design. There will be a 2 part "side-by-side" energy rating label - a cooling-only, heating only or combined cooling/heating label (as below). There is also an option for 7 to 10 star labels for heating or cooling.
From October 2009 all new registrations for heat pumps manufactured or imported to NZ will need to be registered to, and meet the requirements of the revised MEPS and Labelling Standard (AS/NZS 3823.2: 2009). The new labels must be used.
From 1 April 2010 these Regulations will apply to all heat pumps manufactured or imported to NZ or Australia. At this time, if you wish to continue importing models registered to the old MEPS, you will need to re register them to the new MEPS and use new labels.
However old stock manufactured or imported before 1 April 2010, which was registered to the older standard, may be sold and may display the old label.
From 1 April 2011, MEPS levels will be based on annual EER/COP (this includes an element of stand-by energy consumption).
Demand response capability will be required on all models from April 2012.
There will be a Minimum power factor requirement of 0.85 from April 2011.

Please note there is also a proposal to introduce new MEPS levels in 2012, which are 10% more stringent than 2011 levels. If you wish to comment on this or any other change, please email Alan.Ly@standards.org.au by 18th May 2009.

RACCA Training Trust Rep

RACCA is looking for a member to volunteer for serving on the IRHACE Charitable Training Trust as Director representing RACCA. The Trust was specifically established " to provide for competent initial and on-going training for people in the refrigeration, heating and air-conditioning industries in NZ and anyone requiring knowledge of those industries or industry practices carried on in those industries".

The requirements of the RACCA Director are:
1. Training passion
2. Technical understanding of the industry
3. Professionalism and integrity of the highest level.
4. Previous proven director experience

Accountabilities:
1. Attend 4 half day meetings per year.
2. Follow through on agreed actions within reasonable timings.
3. Attend 75% of meetings annually.

RACCA executive committee would welcome nominations from member
companies to fill this pivotal role, in the future direction for skills development for our industry.
All queries can be made to:
Steve Coatham
General Manager
Cellphone: 027-262-1405
Direct : 09-262-1405
Email: steve@irhace.org.nz