The ACR Show 2014 opens its doors to visitors tomorrow in Hall 9 at the NEC, Birmingham.
The event is the only national exhibition for the UK's cooling industry, and is supported by more than 100 leading UK and European companies. It also has the backing of the industry's main trade bodies, including the Institute of Refrigeration, FETA, the British Refrigeration Association and B&ES Association.

With major technology launches planned and a cutting edge seminar programme featuring the industry's leading experts, the show enables visitors to get up-to-speed with important commercial, technical and legal developments happening across the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

The show's headline sponsor Daikin UK is using the event as a launchpad for its latest technology roll-out, which it describes as a major breakthrough in HVAC technology with 'important implications for energy efficiency, running costs and occupant comfort'. The innovation is expected to have a significant impact on design and installation time, as well as the long-term flexibility of buildings.

The show takes place against the background of the recent revisions to the F-Gas Regulation by the EU, seen as ushering in the most important changes to impact the industry for many years.

The proposals target common HFC refrigerants used in millions of air conditioning and refrigeration systems across the UK and Europe. Industry experts will brief visitors to the show on the changes and their practical consequences in a series of free seminars.

The new regulation will result in a phase-down of commonly-used HFC refrigerants with a High Global Warming Potential (GWP). The refrigerants affected are used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems in offices, retail stores, food and drink production, restaurants, leisure centres, hospitals, data centres and educational establishments.

Exhibition director, Jan Thorpe, said: 'The F-Gas review will affect some of the most important refrigerants in use today. It will have implications for all who manufacture, install, purchase or use cooling systems for use in buildings or businesses.

Several seminars across the three days of the show will cover the F-Gas changes:

· Mike Nankivell, head of the UK cooling industry's F-Gas task force, will provide an up-to-the-minute review of the changes and their likely impact;

· Barbara Minor, of refrigerant specialist DuPont, will present the current alternatives to high GWP HFC refrigerants and possible future options;

· Graeme Fox, of contractors' organisations B&ES and AREA, will outline what the changes mean for installers;

· And Philip Salaman, managing director of certification and accreditation body F-Gas / Quidos, will explain how to ensure compliance for those affected by the new regulation.

With many of the UK's leading refrigerant suppliers exhibiting at the show, visitors will also be able to see and discuss the alternatives being introduced to fill the gap left by high GWP HFCs.

Another key seminar session, entitled The Greening of the Supermarkets, takes place on Wednesday 12 February and includes presentations from several experts working at the frontier of new supermarket technology. Access is free to visitors attending the show. The presentations are by:

Bill Watson, refrigeration development manager for The Co-op Group, will give an update on developments in reducing store energy use and harnessing environmentally responsible refrigerants.

Bob Arthur of Frigesco will highlight how new flash defrost technology, based on specialist phase-change material, can dramatically cut energy use in cold stores and refrigerated display cabinets.

Chris Russell, global VP sales for Nualight, will outline the latest developments in low carbon LED lighting systems, and how they are being applied to supermarkets across the UK and internationally.

Tim Mitchell and Roberto Mallozzi of Klima-Therm will present a new type of cascade refrigeration system, based on propane and carbon dioxide, now being trialled by a major international supermarket.

Other seminars will address:
· how to control air conditioning over the internet;

· the latest developments in refrigerants;

· details on recent performance trials with HFO chillers;

· design guide for VRF air conditioning systems;

· making the most of mobile apps for engineers.

The Institute of Refrigeration is holding a series of expert-led briefings to raise awareness of the vital importance of cutting refrigerant leaks from refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The briefings, aimed at the industry and end users, build on the organisation's award-winning REAL Zero campaign.

Industry experts, including John Ellis, Jane Gartshore, Gordon Adams, Graeme Maidment, Steve Benton and Glen Moore, will provide free briefings to visitors on key issues related to refrigerant leakage and how to prevent and minimise it.

Topics include:

· Leaks and leak detection - how to get the best out of your leak detector and locations of the most common leaks;

· Are you using the right copper tube for your refrigerant?

· Common causes of compressor failure - and how to avoid them;

· REAL Zero - preventing and finding leaks of alternative refrigerants, R744, HCs, R32 and HFOs;

· Understanding pH diagrams for diagnosing faults and improving system operation;

· Pressure testing for strength and leak tightness and how Gay-Lussac helps!

· Indirect leak testing for air conditioning units.

The organisation is also staging a series of highly practical sessions aimed at service engineers, enabling them to refresh their skills and test current knowledge. Visitors can take an optional test at the end of presentations to gain an IOR Certificate of Continuing Professional Development, useful for career development.

The talks will include hands-on demonstrations and exercises, supported by IOR technical guides.

To register for the show now visit: www.acrshow.co.uk

For details of the Institute of Refrigeration briefings, visit: www.ior.org.uk/ior_news.php