A NEW specialist group named the Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Institute (ACHPI) is being launched on September 11, offering technical guidance for those who install, service or maintain air conditioning and heat pump equipment.
The new group combines manufacturers' technical expertise with IOR (Institute of Refrigeration) experience and is aimed at keeping its members up to date with good industry practice. With a strong emphasis on efficiency the ACHPI will offer technical updates emailed or posted direct to members every three months.

Membership is free until March 2010 for those who join now as founder members to the ACHPI. There is a £30 renewal fee for ACHPI members from April 2010. The IOR hopes to have 500 individuals signed up as members by March 2010.

The first bulletin will be available from September 15 and covers:

· Energy inspections of air conditioning equipment

· The heat pump vapour compression cycle

· Measuring and maximising system efficiency

· Recovering, reclaiming, recycling R22 and ODS refrigerants

John Ellis, chairman of the IOR ACHPI technical panel, said: 'The Heat Pump and Air Conditioning sector is one of the ongoing major advancements of the refrigeration cycle. This burgeoning sector of our industry has its own different technical needs and the ACHPI can help develop this growing area where engineers are thirsty for reliable and independent information'.

To print off an ACHPI application form click here