Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a great example to follow in the region - from the training of technicians to the exchange of experiences.
The first factor to ensure proper installation and maintenance of RAC equipment with hydrocarbon refrigerants is to have well-trained technicians. Therefore, six trainings were carried out. Additionally, Costa Rica facilitated a demonstration project that involved hotels and institutions from the public sector. The project supported the installation and energy-consumption monitoring of R-290 air conditioners.
In order to celebrate the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (September 16, 2020), a virtual conference was held together with UNDP. Almost 500 participants registered for the conference, which focused on the use of low global warming potential refrigerants (LGWP).
Publications
Introducing Eco-Efficient Split Air Conditioners with R-290 in Costa Rica
GIZ and the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), in collaboration with the Central American Integration System (SICA), developed a demonstration project to introduce ecoefficient air conditioning (AC) equipment that operates with ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, such as R-290, and with high energy efficiency. In this regard, two strategies were implemented to facilitate the expansion of the market for split type AC equipment operating with R-290 refrigerants in Costa Rica. Firstly, a training program was developed. Secondly, a demonstration projects with ACs using R-290 was established. Read more about the activities in the publication.
Estudio de fugas en equipos de Aire Acondicionado tipo split en Costa Rica
The study analyses the rate of refrigerant leakage generated during the operation of split type split AC equipment in Costa Rica and present recommendations for minimizing leakage rates. In order to approximate the leakage rate in Costa Rica, four different sources of information were analysed:
- A leakage survey carried out with an electronic leak detector by technicians from HIMO Refrigeration, as part of a GIZ project
- A survey addressed to companies servicing split type A/C equipment
- A second survey addressed to service companies carried out by the Costa Rican Chamber of Industries (CICR), under coordination of GIZ
- Total data at the country level for refrigerant consumption of split-type equipment, according to the GHG Inventory for the RAC sector
Refrigerantes con bajo potencial de calentamiento global
The handbook identifies refrigerants with low GWP and zero ODP and provides technical knowledge in the RAC sector, especially in regard to alternative substances for the withdrawal and disuse of HCFCs and HFCs.
Substances limited by the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment are identified and a phase-out schedule is presented. Furthermore, the handbook outlines alternative natural refrigerants in the medium and long term, what characteristics they have and how they can be used.
Manual Destrucción de Gases Refrigerantes en Costa Rica
The manual was published for the project "Destruction of Refrigerant Gases in Costa Rica" and explains the effects of refrigerants in the deterioration of the ozone layer and global warming, as well as gives an overview over refrigerant destruction technologies and the process of destruction of refrigerant gases in Costa Rica.
The aim of the manual is to inform the technical and professional personnel in the RAC sector about the process of recovery and destruction of refrigerant gases as a sustainable solution to avoid the accumulation and release of these gases to the environment. Special emphasis is placed on the process for the correct disposal of refrigerant gases in Costa Rica.
Reporte Final de la Consultoría para evaluación del mercado actual y potencial de los refrigerantes hidrocarburos (HC) en Costa Rica
The study focuses on hydrocarbon refrigerant gases. A special emphasize is put on their physical and chemical properties, market prices and possible scenarios of substitution of other families of refrigerants. Furthermore, the potential interest of businesses to participate in this activity has been analyzed.
The paper presents a technical-economic approach for the installation of a plant in Costa Rica, thus providing an outlook for a national strategy for the development of hydrocarbon refrigeration. The authors of the study outline that Costa Rica’s current conditions are ideal for developing national strategies for decarbonizing the economy, strengthening energy efficiency and complying with the agreements signed in the Kigali amendment. According to the study, the Costa Rican Petroleum Refining Company RECOPE offers the best conditions for developing this undertaking on its own or in a Public-Private Alliance.