Grain-sized cooling tech cuts energy use by 70%, doubles efficiency…

Globally, cooling requirements are met through compressor-based systems, where a #refrigerant is pumped through a series of coils to transfer heat. While effective, these systems are bulky, energy-intensive, and use chemicals that harm the environment... #airconditioning #engineering

https://formuchdeliberation.wordpress.com/2025/05/21/grain-sized-cooling-tech-cuts-energy-use-by-70-doubles-efficiency-2/

The magnetocaloric solution to the heat pump refrigerant problem

https://cleantechnica.com/2024/12/09/inside-the-heart-of-the-magnetocaloric-heat-pump-of-the-future/

#heatpump #heatpumps #energy #energyefficient #energyefficiency #electricheatpump #hvac #magnetocaloric #elastocaloric #magnets #magnetic #magnetism #refrigerant #refrigerants #ozonelayer #rareearths #supplychain #innovation #us #unitedstates #science #research #electrification #electricity

The magnetocaloric solution to the heat pump refrigerant problem

https://cleantechnica.com/2024/12/09/inside-the-heart-of-the-magnetocaloric-heat-pump-of-the-future/

#heatpump #heatpumps #energy #energyefficient #energyefficiency #electricheatpump #hvac #magnetocaloric #elastocaloric #magnets #magnetic #magnetism #refrigerant #refrigerants #ozonelayer #rareearths #supplychain #innovation #us #unitedstates #science #research #electrification #electricity

Cooling system could replace air con and drastically cut energy use | New Scientist

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2403491-cooling-system-could-replace-air-con-and-drastically-cut-energy-use/

#HeatPump #AirConditioning #NewScientist #article #refrigerant #Electrocaloric

‘Electrocaloric’ heat pump could transform air conditioning

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03595-1

#HeatPump #AirConditioning #Nature #article #refrigerant #Electrocaloric

If anyone with HVAC expertise knows the consequences of mixing refrigerants (R-22 and R-410A), please reach out to me. I think this maintenance guy just did a bad thing.

It's not the only bad thing, mind you. I'm documenting some other stuff.

#HVAC #Repair #Refrigerant #Help

Want to learn about a company making a real impact in the fight against #ClimateChange? Check out the latest episode of the #ClimateConfident podcast featuring @[email protected] CEO Tim Brown

Listen now: https://www.climateconfidentpodcast.com/1329991/12059421-climate-impact-the-work-of-tradewater-in-collecting-controlling-and-destroying-greenhouse-gases
#ClimateFight #Methane #Refrigerant #CFCs #HCFCs

Did you know that #CO2 can be used as a #refrigerant gas in #heatPumps? And that it's very efficient at it.
It requires significantly higher pressures than typical refrigerants gas but it doesn't require a chemical plan to fiddle with fluorinated products, and that seems to be a huge plus. Also, it is cheap, guaranteed not to have any undesirable effect we might discover later, non-flammable, non-toxic and has a GWP of 1.

With a COP above 3, the global #efficiency of a combined-cycle methane power plant + transmission loss + point of use COP gives a higher efficiency than burning the methane directly even in the best furnace money can buy.
And we know very well how to store hot water, so spreading daily peak heat demand without massive *electricity* storage is much more feasible.

Recharged Dehumidifier Put Back Into Service

For the average consumer, repairing relatively low-cost home devices such as microwaves and TVs just isn't economically viable. You can hardly blame them when the repair bill could easily be higher than the cost of just buying a new model. Luckily for folks like us, that means you can often find cheap or even free appliances on the second hand market that can be brought back online with a bit of troubleshooting and some spare parts.

Take for example the non-functional dehumidifier [HowToLou] recently came across. You probably couldn't find a professional repair shop that would be willing to bother with one of these things if you tried, but as he shows in the video below, that doesn't mean the DIY'er can't run through some probable failure modes and get the unit back up and running. As a bonus, he also walks viewers through how your typical compressor-based dehumidifier operates.

The failed thermal switch.

Beyond the lack of water in the collection compartment, the first sign that something was wrong with this dehumidifier was that the compressor wasn't running. Upon closer inspection, [HowToLou] determined that the thermal cut-off switch had failed and was stuck open. Luckily it had a visible part number so he could order a replacement, and in the meantime, all he had to do was cut the switch out of the circuit and wire up the compressor's power directly.

Unfortunately, even with the compressor running, no water was being collected. Noticing that the evaporator coils weren't getting very cold, [HowToLou] thought the unit might be low on refrigerant. Usually these systems aren't meant to be recharged, but with a clever piercing tap valve, you can add a quick-connect port to the low pressure side. This particular dehumidifier happened to be filled with the same R134a used in automotive A/C systems, so a quick trip to the auto parts store got him a can of refrigerant complete with a handy pressure gauge.

After getting juiced up, [HowToLou] shows ice forming on the coils and plenty of water getting dumped into the tank. Automotive A/C refill cans usually include some substance to stop or reduce leaks in the system, so hopefully this will end up being a long-term fix. It might not be the most elaborate dehumidifier repair we've ever seen, but it's certainly the most approachable. If you ever see one of these things laying on the side of the road, maybe you should pick it up and see what ails it.

#repairhacks #dehumidifier #recharge #refrigerant #repair