By Eamonn Ryan
As the HVAC&R industry faces mounting regulatory, skills and economic pressures, the South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association (SARACCA) has spent the past year sharpening its focus on compliance, training and member support.
Tony Moodley, SARACCA President. Supplied by Tony Moodley
Tony Moodley, reflecting on his first year as president, explains the emphasis is to prepare the industry for change before it is forced upon it.
One of SARACCA’s early focus areas was the implementation of e-learning in South Africa. Building on this, the association is now engaging with neighbouring countries to make the same training available regionally, with the aim of standardising skills development across borders. According to Moodley, this alignment is critical in an industry where technicians frequently move between countries, as it helps ensure a consistent level of competence throughout the region.
Preparing for natural refrigerants
Over the past year, SARACCA has prioritised training on natural refrigerants, particularly R290 (propane), as this technology begins to enter the South African market. With R290 equipment already being manufactured and approximately 20 units delivered to South Africa by GIZ for training purposes, Moodley stresses the need for proactive action. He notes that training must be aligned now to ensure technicians are competent before widespread adoption occurs.
However, training cannot simply be imported wholesale from other regions. Moodley points out that compliance requirements differ significantly between countries. “South Africa operates under the Pressure Equipment Regulation Act, which governs compliance for refrigerants like R290. Many neighbouring countries don’t have equivalent legislation in place.”
Complicating matters further, R290 falls under a different government portfolio. “R290 is classified as a fuel, so it sits under the Minister of Energy, while other refrigerants fall under the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). That creates an additional layer of complexity when it comes to compliance.”
Driving awareness of legal compliance
From a member perspective, one of SARACCA’s most visible achievements has been its push to raise awareness around legal compliance, particularly the issuing of Certificates of Conformity (CoCs). “Awareness is our biggest driver, given the legal requirements have been in place for years,” Moodley says.
SARACCA has significantly expanded its communication efforts, with a strong focus on digital platforms. Moodley notes that the association has built a solid social media presence to engage younger technicians and is introducing a website chatbot to support quick, interactive engagement. At the same time, traditional media remains important, with SARACCA conducting interviews and contributing articles to platforms such as RACA Journal and Engineering News to educate contractors, engineers and end users wherever possible.
Education has also extended beyond the HVAC&R sector itself. Over the past year, SARACCA addressed more than 400 representatives from the insurance industry via an online session.
“Many insurers weren’t aware that a CoC for air conditioning equipment is a legal requirement. It was a real eye-opener for them. From an insurance and risk perspective, using certified practitioners and compliant installations is critical to preventing accidents and claims,” Moodley explains.
With the imminent rollout of R290 systems, Moodley believes compliance will become increasingly important. “R290 installations require a CoC. If we allow poor installations, all it takes is one incident to give natural refrigerants a bad reputation. We’d rather drive training and compliance now, while we still have time.”
Market pressures and skills shortages
Despite positive momentum in some areas, SARACCA members continue to face significant challenges. Chief among them are cash-flow pressures caused by slow payment cycles.
“Poor payment is the number one issue members raise.
There is work in the market, but payments are extremely slow, particularly for contractors working with government entities,” Moodley says.
To address this, SARACCA is exploring a new payment model already used in other sectors. “We’re engaging with other associations, including electrical and aluminium bodies, to develop a joint proposal. It’s not something that will change overnight,” he explains.
Skills shortages remain another critical concern. “We’re losing experienced technicians to emigration. As soon as they become qualified, they often receive better offers overseas and leave.”
In response, SARACCA has expanded its training incentives. “We offer rebates on training for member companies to take on more apprentices, and we’ve approved a separate fund to support apprentice training.”
Priorities for the year ahead
Looking forward, Moodley says SARACCA will continue to build on its existing initiatives rather than reinventing its strategy. “We want to increase member engagement and grow our member base. The more people who contribute, the stronger the industry becomes as a whole.”
A key priority is increasing the issuing of CoCs within the refrigeration and air conditioning sector. “Compared to the LPG gas sector, we issue far fewer CoCs. We need to change that culture,” Moodley notes.
To remove cost barriers, SARACCA now fully subsidises CoCs for its members. “If a member purchases CoCs and uses them, we reimburse 100% of the cost. It costs them nothing, and it encourages compliance.”
Ultimately, Moodley believes that a compliant, well-trained industry benefits everyone. “If someone works on an installation, the end user should expect a CoC as standard,” he says. “That’s how we uplift the industry, protect consumers and ensure the long-term success of HVAC&R in South Africa.
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