Roy Family Award 2011 celebrates power of collaboration in tackling climate change
Although he is comfortable using the sealer, Lou says he doesn't know yet how effectively it will repair a known leak.So it's too soon for Lou Fort to know if AC-1 A/C Stop Leak and Sealer will seal a known leak, but he considers it an inexpensive way to prevent comebacks on a proper A/C repair. Perhaps most importantly, because of the company's claims (and the fact that it's intended for use by professional technicians), he's comfortable knowing it won't cause problems with his recovery/recycling equipment.“Refrigerants, Naturally! demonstrates that meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are possible if business and NGOs are creative and are prepared to work together”, said Henry Lee, director of the Environment and Natural Resources Program at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, in announcing the 2011 award winner.Air conditioning and refrigeration may effectively reduce temperatures but will also reduce humidity causing cork shrinkage. Buckets filled with water and regularly topped up will usually solve this problem. Alternatively, several companies now offer cellaring cabinets of varying sizes, that are, effectively, modified refrigerators with humidity control and these same companies can also supply humidity control units for rooms.Lou Fort, lead tech at K.A.R.S. in Huntingburg, Ind., and a veteran ASE-certified Master Tech, reported that Bar's Leak AC-1 A/C Stop Leak and Sealer is easy to use and might be a real time-saver in situations that don't warrant repair."I personally feel a true professional would want to let everyone know that a sealer/dye has been added to the system. It could even serve as advertisement for them." He suggested the bottle be fitted with a peel-and-stick label.Depending on the size of your cellar and your budget, your wines can be stored in either racks or boxes. There are various racking and storage systems available ranging from metal individual bottle storage racks through to custom-built wooden systems. Cardboard cartons in which wines are packed provide efficient insulation and also protect the wine from light. Another alternative, albeit an expensive one, is specially designed styrene boxes, which provide excellent insulation and double as wine racks."Refrigerants, Naturally! strives to eliminate an entire class of dangerous greenhouses gases from a large industrial sector. As the group has now catalyzed a commitment to eliminate HFCs from the Consumer Goods Forum's 400 companies, we have a real shot at the kind of fundamental transformation we need. For this reason, Greenpeace is honored to be working with these corporations on this issue", said Amy Larkin, Director Greenpeace Solutions.“Refrigerants, Naturally! has played an important role in raising the profile of this important issue and demonstrating what can be achieved through shared vision and commitment", said Thomas Lingard, Global External Affairs Director Unilever and Chair of Refrigerants, Naturally!.Note to the editorsRefrigerants, Naturally! brings together four high-profile private companies – The Coca-Cola Company, McDonald’s, Unilever, and PepsiCo – which are committed to combat climate change and ozone layer depletion by eliminating F-gases and substituting them with natural refrigerants (e.g. ammonia, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons). Greenpeace and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) have been supporters of this partnership from the beginning, by providing advice, information and linkages to their own activities.Since 2004, Refrigerants, Naturally! has focused its efforts on overcoming barriers to the use of natural refrigerants including worldwide availability, maintenance, technical challenges and regulation. The companies have come a long way. They actively promote a shift in point-of-sale cooling technology toward safe, reliable, energy-efficient and cost-effective natural refrigerants with low or zero global warming potential and zero ozone depleting potential. The initiative provides a platform and a critical mass in communicating with the refrigeration technology supply chain, with other large companies using similar refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, governments and civil society.Wine is best stored under cool, dark, airy conditions, free from vibration, odors and dampness. A cellar need not be under the house. The single most important factor is temperature stability. Wines stored where the temperature varies gradually with the seasons are better off than wines stored in a room which is heated during the day and then allowed to cool to winter temperatures at night.Lou said the product was easy to use because it comes in pre-measured doses that also include a tracer dye. He feels that the dye is a further indication of the product's less aggressive sealant. "They don't claim it to be a cure-all, so if your leak is, say, a shaft seal, you already have the dye in the system to find the leak."It is important to note that your wines will mature more quickly if your cellaring conditions are not ideal. If you are like me, you have more everyday style wine in your cellar than anything. These wines are better to drink quickly rather than store for years and years. However, proper storage conditions will keep your wine from spoiling too quick and you may be surprised with the excellent aging results you achieve with some higher end or more complex styles such as Bordeaux or Pinot Noir/Burgundy. Try asking your local wine merchant to suggest some wines for you that age well and have fun starting a collection of age worthy wine to go with your everyday wine.He suggested it would be useful any time the refrigerant system is charged "as a sort of an insurance policy against a small seal or fitting leak causing a comeback." That's because it's not like other A/C sealers he's familiar with."A/C sealers have a lot of us scared to death (because) so many of them on the market are equipment killers. This is not (because) they don't claim it will stop all leaks. In a system that is tested and proven to hold a specific amount of vacuum for a specific amount of time, they say it can seal a leak by forming a non-hardening seal.""Small A/C leaks can take months to actually show in a real-world environment." Lou tested the product last fall, using four of the six bottles he received.
1 U.S. EPA 2004, “Determination of comparative HCFC and HFC emission profiles for the Foam and Refrigeration sectors until 2015,” http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/emissions/downloads/FoamEmissionProfiles_Part1.pdf
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