HVAC Technicians Must Have Valid Certification
Noting that “most air conditioning refrigerants released into the air contribute to climate change or depletion of the ozone layer,” the Government has reminded the public that all HVAC system technicians “who handle or manage refrigerant gases must have undergone the necessary training and have a valid ‘Certified Technician’ photo ID Card.”
A Government spokesperson said, “The Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR] wishes to advise the public that most air conditioning refrigerants released into the air contribute to climate change or depletion of the ozone layer.
“In an effort to avoid this, all domestic and commercial HVAC system technicians who handle or manage refrigerant gases must have undergone the necessary training and have a valid “Certified Technician” photo ID Card issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This helps to ensure the proper reclamation, reuse or disposal of refrigerants.
“For convenience, the list of Certified Technicians is available on gov.bm at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“If you are having a split system air conditioner installed or maintained, please help ensure the proper reclamation, reuse or disposal of refrigerants by asking your technician to:
- 1. Show their ‘Photo ID Card’ titled “Certified Technician for Refrigerant Handling under the Clean Air Act 1991″ [sample attached] and check that it has not expired;
- 2. Produce the ‘Reclamation Unit’ [sample photos attached], which allows the refrigerant to be collected for reuse or disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner rather than being vented to the atmosphere. There should be one unit per job site;
- 3. Advise If there is an additional cost for reclaiming and safely storing the gases, a process that takes some time. If there is no additional cost, it may be that the technician will be venting the gases into the atmosphere, which is illegal.
“Should you have any questions regarding refrigerants’ handling or disposal, or if you suspect the refrigerant gases may have been vented into the atmosphere, please email pollutioncontrol@gov.bm.”
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