The R22 refrigerant ban. How does it affect you?
What refrigerant gas does your Air Conditioning – Refrigeration equipment run on? Is it about to become unserviceable?
At the beginning of 2013 it was estimated that around 55% of the UK’s air conditioning systems were still using R22 refrigerant. The phase out for this refrigerant has been coming for some time with the complete outright ban of this refrigerant coming into force this year! (2014).
You need to be aware that if your refrigeration or air conditioning system runs on this gas it will not be repairable or serviceable come 31st December 2014! That’s the law and it could present a potentially critical risk to many UK businesses..
The supply of new air conditioning and refrigeration systems using R22 was banned in 2004 and the ban on supplying new virgin R22 refrigerant to service existing any equipment came into force on the 31st Dec 2009. Current legislation only allows reclaimed or recycled refrigerant to be used until 31 Dec 2014.
A complete ban on the use of R22 (reclaimed or recycled) comes into force 31st Dec 2014, are you and your equipment ready?
All systems operating on R22 after that time will be classed as ‘not serviceable’!! Could you cope without it? What are your options?
1. Replace the existing system
Replace or upgrade your R22 system could dramatically reduce your energy consumption by 30-40% by replacing your existing R22 System with a modern HFC based inverter system. The Carbon Trust have partnered with Siemens Financing to offer an Energy Efficiency Financing program where energy savings wholly offset the cost of a new system installation!
2. Convert your existing system to a HFC “drop in” refrigerant.
For newer systems in good condition, it may be possible to convert with a ‘drop-in’ HFC compatible refrigerant and some modifications. This is likely to reduce cooling capacity and be less efficient than the original system and each conversion will need to be looked at case by case to assess if the conversion is viable. Our team of highly qualified and experienced engineers can do a site visit to provide you with the specific options for your system.
3. Do nothing
This option may be suitable for small non-critical installations such as an office split air conditioning system. Such systems are usually very reliable and could be replaced quickly and fairly cheaply with a new system when they become irreparable.
LoCool Services can help you find the best solution for your business. For more information about F Gas regulations visit out information pages or give us a call for a chat.
What is an F-Gas and my F-Gas responsibility?
What is my F-Gas responsibility..?
“F Gases” are chemicals that contain “Fluorine”. We encounter the “F Gases” in everyday refrigerants used for heating and cooling applications within refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
These gases acts as a powerful greenhouse gas and have potential to form a reflective layer in the stratosphere.
This reflective layer causes rays from natural sunlight to reflect back to the earth’s surface rather than pass through the stratosphere. Thus the build up of greenhouse gases, acts like a pane of glass within a green house, causing the area under the glass to warm up. It is in everyone’s best interest to reduce the release of these harmful gases…
Part of our works with refrigeration and air conditioning systems involves the safe reclamation of “F gases” from plant requiring repairs, or from redundant plant.
The reclamation of “F gas” is now mandatory by law. The responsible use and actions to minimise loss lies with the operators and owners of plant containing such gases.
‘F Gas Regulations: On the 4th July 2009 the new F Gas Regulations (similar to Corgi) came into force which makes it illegal for you as a user of Refrigeration or Air Conditioning equipment to employ any company to work on this type of equipment who isn’t an approved ‘F Gas’ contractor.
New F gas Legislation will affect all businesses using refrigeration & air conditioning equipment.
We recommend that you arrange to have your equipment serviced at least once a year and leak tested according to F-Gas regulatory intervals which are dependent on the size and amount of refrigerant your system holds. On larger systems this can be 4 times yearly!
If you are unsure about your commitments or require more advice then give us a call on 07531 949 273!
