Refrigerant awareness campaign announced at Wire & Gas 2024

During the 2024 Wire & Gas Gala Awards Dinner, VASA president Brett Meads unveiled a crucial new awareness campaign designed to address the risks posed by DIY refrigerant products and emerging multi-refrigerant market.

In his speech, Meads was joined by John McCormack, a director of Refrigerants Australia, and Michael Bennett AM, former ARC chair and General Manager of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA).

Together, these three industry leaders underscored the significance of the campaign and its role in educating both technicians and consumers about best practices in the automotive air-conditioning sector.

Meads described the campaign as both informative and thought-provoking, designed to challenge technicians and consumers alike to reconsider their approach to automotive air-conditioning service and repair.

“This campaign is part informative, part challenging,” he explained. “It’s designed to make people stop, think, and ask themselves, ‘Am I doing this right?’ Whether it’s a DIY enthusiast considering a quick-fix solution or a technician assessing their work, we want this campaign to raise awareness and foster accountability across the industry.”​

Planned to launch in spring and run through the summer, the campaign will be visible across multiple platforms, including print, social media, and other online channels. 

With distinct messaging streams for technicians and consumers, the initiative aims to educate both sides of the market on the importance of professional standards and the risks associated with DIY refrigerant kits.

“We’ve seen too many cases of DIY air-con kits being misused,” Meads noted. “This campaign addresses that issue head-on by educating consumers about the risks, while also prompting technicians to ensure they’re keeping up with the latest industry standards.”​

Collaborative Effort with Industry Support

McCormack, representing Refrigerants Australia and the Australian distributor for Chemours, took the podium to explain the critical role that industry support plays in making initiatives like this campaign possible.

He praised the professionalism and passion of VASA’s leadership, particularly the efforts of long-serving industry figures like Mark Mitchell and Ian Stangroome.

“When I joined Dupont, we weren’t members of anything,” McCormack reflected on his 25-year career. “But it didn’t take long for me to realise the calibre of people involved in industry associations like VASA. These are people who are passionate about what they do, and that’s why Refrigerants Australia is proud to support this initiative.”

​McCormack emphasised that RA’s decision to fund the campaign was driven by a desire to maintain high industry standards and to safeguard the future of the sector, particularly in the face of growing challenges like the improper use of refrigerants.

The DIY Refrigerant Kit Problem

Bennett, who has dedicated much of his career to improving industry practices through his work with the ARC and RRA, spoke passionately about the dangers of DIY refrigerant kits. 

He highlighted how easily consumers can purchase DIY kits from retail outlets and the potentially disastrous consequences of using the wrong refrigerant in an air-conditioning system.

“You can walk into a car accessory shop and buy a DIY kit, but the risks are enormous,” Bennett said. “Imagine someone purchasing a DIY R1234yf refrigerant kit and using it in a system designed for R134a. The results could be catastrophic, not just for the vehicle, but for the environment and anyone working on the system.”

The awareness campaign will be an evolving resource, with new messages and content added as needed to keep pace with changes in technology and regulations. While the initial focus is on the summer season, Meads stressed that the campaign will continue to grow and adapt to the needs of the industry.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “As the industry evolves, so too will this campaign. Our goal is to keep the conversation going and ensure that both technicians and consumers are equipped with the knowledge they need to operate safely and professionally.”​