Low GWP/A2L

As the HVACR industry continues to move forward and innovate, the refrigerants that were once so commonplace are now being phased out. Replacing them are more energy efficient, environmentally friendlier refrigerants, known as Low GWP refrigerants. Many of these new refrigerants are classified by ASHRAE as A2L, or slightly flammable. The industry is also seeing expanded use of some hydrocarbon (A3) refrigerants, such as propane and isobutane. Students and technicians can and should acquire additional training for the safe handling and transportation of these refrigerants. RSES is pleased to offer the ESCO Institute Low GWP Refrigerant Safety options that follow.

Low GWP/A2L Refrigerants

With numerous changes to building codes and industry standards to accommodate the safe use of Low GWP refrigerants, those working in the HVACR industry need a reliable source of information and training to keep pace with innovation. ESCO’s Low GWP Refrigerant Safety Program fills that need.

Manual

The Low GWP Refrigerant program manual, which is available in both printed and digital format, covers:

- Refrigerant safety
- Introduction to Low GWP refrigerants
- Refrigerant properties and characteristics
- The refrigeration cycle
- Working with refrigerant blends
- Proper installation and service guidelines
- Flammable refrigerant considerations
- Explanation of the associated codes and standards for A2L refrigerants

Instructor Low GWP Refrigerant Safety Program

The instructor resource materials include a 204-slide PowerPoint presentation that correlates directly with the manual. Each slide contains speaker notes to aid the instructor through the presentation and provide additional talking points.

Certification

A 50-question, closed-book certification exam is available to validate that a person has retained the information presented in the program. The exams covers: General Flammable Refrigerant Safety Knowledge, Core ACR Knowledge, Flammable System Service Safety, Flammable System Installation Safety, and Flammable Refrigerant Transportation and Handling Safety.

You must be an approved proctor for this exam in order to order exams for individuals to take. If you need to submit a proctor application for this exam, click here. In addition to submitting a proctor application, you may download exam request forms to submit as well.

Search Entire Site

RSES is the leading education, training and certification preparation organization for HVACR professionals. RSES publishes various comprehensive industry training and reference materials in addition to delivering superior educational programs designed to benefit HVACR professionals at every stage of their careers through instructor-led training courses, online training for HVAC, educational seminars, interactive CD and DVD products, industry-related reference manuals, and helpful technical content through Service Application Manual chapters, the RSES Journal, the RSES Journal archives and feature articles, as well as web-exclusive features.

Beginning with basic theory and extending to complex troubleshooting, training courses covering refrigeration and air conditioning, heating, electricity, controls, heat pumps and safety may be conducted in a classroom environment or though self study. RSES publications may be purchased by schools, contractors, manufacturers or any other industry group wanting to conduct comprehensive training programs. Seminars covering air conditioning troubleshooting, electrical troubleshooting, compressor training, condenser training, refrigerant piping practices, DDC controls, and more are held in various cities across North America.

Select training programs offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and NATE Continuing Education Hours (CEHs).

In addition, RSES offers industry certification preparation materials for refrigerant handling (EPA Section 608), R-410A and North American Technician Excellence (NATE) examinations.

RSES’ monthly magazine, RSES Journal, serves HVAC contractors, service technicians, students, operations/maintenance managers, engineers and technicians who work in the residential, light commercial, commercial and institutional markets on air conditioning, warm-air heating, refrigeration, ventilation, electrical, ice machines, chillers, hydronic heating, piping, refrigeration control and energy management, building automation, indoor air quality and duct cleaning, and sheet metal fabrication equipment and/or systems.