The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) has joined forces with the Carbon Trust in a major initiative to cut refrigerant leakage and improve the environmental performance of refrigeration plants. The IOR campaign is being headlined REALZero, or Refrigerant Emissions And Leakage Zero.

It will include detailed investigations carried out on sites with a variety of types of cooling systems. The results will be analysed to identify the main sources of refrigerant leakage and how these can be reduced. Although the F-Gas Regulation requires equipment owners to address leakage issues, it does not offer technical advice on how to prevent leakage in existing or future systems. Equipment users and refrigeration specialists will have access to the results of the field investigations through a new series of guidance notes, training packages and advice services developed by Institute specialists, reveals the association’s press release.

Jane Gartshore, IOR’s President, says: " The support from the Carbon Trust for this project reflects the importance that reducing HFC leakage has on carbon emission reduction. The Real Zero campaign will provide the industry with high value practical information, and help users and practitioners tackle the problem at source in the most effective way." The project will involve working closely with other key trade associations and end user bodies to promote emissions reduction.  The Carbon Trust's Low Carbon Collaboration, designed to help industry sectors reduce their impact on the environment, is providing funding support for this project. The Institute is contributing to administration and dissemination costs from its Presidents Fund, which industry has supported in the past as a means of undertaking projects to raise the standing of the Institute.