Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why is carbon dioxide as a refrigerant good for the environment?
A: When carbon dioxide is used as a coolant, it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect, even if the coolant should leak. Freons and HFCs do however contribute greatly to the greenhouse effect for example, the contribution R404 makes to the greenhouse effect is 3,920 times greater than carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide used in our units is also recycled, which means that the contribution to the greenhouse effect is nullified should the coolant end up in the atmosphere. Also, our units are energy efficient which is both good for the environment and reduces your costs.
Q2: All of Green & Cool’s competitors use a 40-bar system. Your systems are designed for 60 or 80 bars of pressure. Why?
A: Green & Cool’s systems are designed to cope with the conditions that occur in real life, not just those that exist on the drawing board. The material is actually designed for 80 bar but on refrigeration and freezer units, there is a safety valve that trips at 60 bar. When the machines are operating normally, there is no difference, whether they were designed with a maximum pressure of 40, 60 or 80 bar. During normal operation, the pressure is essentially the same. The difference is observed when the machine is at rest, for example, when defrosting is required, the need for cooling varies, or if there is simply a power outage. When that happens, it is not long before the pressure rises above 40 bar, which already occurs at just +6.3°C, and the safety valve then trips on our competitors’ units that only have a 40-bar system.
Certain refrigeration equipment, marketed by our competitors, is only designed for 25 bar so the safety valve on such equipment trips at –10.5°C (!). This results in expensive stoppages with associated servicing requirements. (And in the worst case, if the safety system fails, damage to property and potentially injury people as well.) Green & Cool’s customers do not suffer these problems. With a 60-bar system, disrupted refrigeration or freezing equipment can climb all the way to 22.7°C before the safety valve trips. On our air conditioners and heat pumps, the safety valve only trips at 80 bar or at 33.5°C.
Q3: Why does it sometimes appear that systems from G&C are more expensive to buy?
A: The first thing you need to ask is if there really is a difference in the purchase price if you consider what is included in the price. Many of our competitors charge for things we consider essential for example, our machines are equipped with control systems with colour screens and touch controls which mean that a service technician does not need to connect to it using their own computer. The standard equipment also includes internet access for control systems, COP measuring and fluid level checks.
If you still want to find a supplier that charges less at the purchasing stage, you should remember that you get what you pay for. In a total cost calculation, it is by no means certain that the cheapest product is necessarily the best choice. This is also true of the refrigeration sector. The higher quality in material selection, configuration (such as 60-bar systems), assembly and control systems together with procedures for training, support and product development make the total calculation for Green & Cool’s products very attractive. Consider, for example, what a power outage costs your company, or even worse, an industrial accident. Consider also what it costs to run refrigerating machines which are not always finely-tuned.
For those on a lean budget, Green & Cool also offers COY, a condensing unit designed for smaller businesses. COY is optimized and cost effective, but still bears the state-of-the-art eco-performance and all the benefits Green & Cool’s CO2-refrigeration systems are known for.
Q4: Why do you have almost everything as standard equipment when your competitors offer them as optional extras?
A: We want to provide our customers and their technicians with the best possible conditions, so they can benefit from everything our units have to offer. And naturally we provide the tools to ensure this. We think long-term and know that satisfied customers return.
Q5: How can I tangibly measure the effect your system will have on my overall economy for the entire food facility?
A: There are meters in our user-friendly control system that continuously monitor the facility’s efficiency (COP). These efficiency measurement values can also be transferred to and logged in external systems, providing the customer and its service company with a basis for measures and decisions regarding optimisation.
Q6: How can I, as someone responsible for several facilities, monitor and tune up my refrigeration installations?
A: As standard, our units can be controlled via the internet which means that technicians in charge can monitor, control and take measures remotely. All that is required is a computer with internet access; it does not matter in what part of the world the Green & Cool unit is located.
Q7: How can I, as a project engineer for refrigeration and heat recycling plants, get more tips and advice on planning CO2-based plants where the focus is on the requirement for overall economy and operational safety?
A: We can provide you with training at the Green & Cool Academy. Our engineers and technicians are also happy to oblige and provide more information. Contact us if you want to know more.
Q8: If I have limited floorspace, are there alternative Green & Cool product solutions that would suit me?
A: Yes. Our standard range includes many types of refrigeration machines that are integrated with gas coolers/condensers and which can be placed outside for example, on the roof. In addition to saving indoor space, these solutions are often easier to install due to less pipe routing.
Q9: Can I recycle energy from Green & Cool refrigeration installations?
A: Yes, absolutely. Monitoring and control functions for heat recycling already come as standard with Green & Cool’s user-friendly control system. A heat exchanger is required which is installed on the “warm” side of the cooling system. Generally speaking, the amount of energy that can be recycled is equal to the cooling effect.
Q10: Once I have purchased a unit from Green & Cool, what sort of approval do I need from authorities before commissioning?
A: All units from Green & Cool are delivered with CE marking, PED approval and approval under all other directives. An on-site installation check and a final certificate issued by a third party are required.
Q11: Why have you moved production to France?
A: Our products have quickly become highly sought after; customers appreciate the combination of reduced environmental impact, lower energy consumption and high quality. This resulted in us needing to increase our production capacity at short notice. By commencing volume production in cooperation with Profroid in Aubagne, France, we could quickly satisfy the significant interest from the market.
Q12: Do you have any other product offers that make it easier for me as a customer?
A: Yes, Green & Cool offer a range of optional extras which you might need such as gas coolers, evaporators and alarms. Contact us for more information.
Q13: What do I do if I need a unit for small capacities?
A: We also offer small, integrated units, called “condensing units”, which are placed outside, such as on a roof.
Q14: Where can I find spare parts to Green &Cool refrigeration units?
A: All components are available in the markets where our units are sold. Spare parts are available for any service company which is crucial to our end customers to feel safe and have a trouble-free operation for many years, even after the warranty expires.
If you have any questions regarding spare parts, please contact us.
Q15: You have a proprietary control system in your refrigeration units, why?
A: Our control system has been developed from operational experience to take advantage of the CO2 refrigerant properties in the best way. Our philosophy is that it must be easily-accessible, user friendly, reliable and easy to get support around the world.
The Green & Cool control system is equipped with a touch screen as standard, where you get an overview of the system where pressure and temperature values are shown in real time. Adjustment of optimal parameters and levels is made easy via the front panel or via the internet.
The Green & Cool control system is also equipped with a web server for access via the internet and from smart phones. It can of course communicate with other systems like DANFOSS, CAREL, IWMAC, Wurm, RDM as these are common controls for refrigeration appliances. The system can also communicate with other systems via MODBUS.
Another advantage of a PLC system is flexibility. The Green & Cool control system can be adapted to communicate with other Scala systems in buildings and other systems via MODBUS. This is important, as heat recovery from the refrigeration unit must be optimized and adapted to the conditions of the building property.
If you have any further questions regarding the control system and communication, please contact us.
Q16: How do you get hold of spare parts to the PLC-system if the screen or other vital parts must be replaced?
A: Green & Cool has always pre-programmed hardware in stock. The hardware is standard components that are available through normal purchasing routes all over the world. Software is always supplied with the machine and you can easily download and install the software via USB.
If you have any questions regarding hardware of the control system, please contact us<.
Q17: Why don’t you have a UPS system or a HFC refrigeration unit as a back up?
A: It is not necessary, because all materials and components in Green &Cool refrigeration units are designed to to withstand the pressures that might arise from the downtime – temporarily or permanently. This is an obvious matter for all refrigerants, so even for CO2 in our refrigeration units.
Q18: You have service interval alarm on your units. What is it?
A: All machines need servicing and maintenance regardless of manufacturer or application. Service interval alarm works in such a way that the customer receives an alert via email or text-message when it is time to do service and maintenance such as oil changes and filter changes.
This will prevent accidents and unplanned downtime at the risk of additional costs, lost sales and more.
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