What do you, the customer need to consider?

F-Gas is the term used to describe fluorinated gasses; these are man made substances (HFCs) which are widely used as refrigerants within air conditioning and refrigeration systems. These refrigerants are classed as greenhouse gases and they need to be controlled. Containment of HFCs is essential for the minimisation of their environmental impact. The EU Regulation 842/2006 aims to reduce the emissions of F-Gases, primarily via leak prevention.

F-Gas Key Obligations – General

Many organizations in the UK use refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) systems with HFC refrigerants, if such refrigerants are used the company must ensure that it meets the requirements of the EC Regulation. All operators of RAC systems are required to monitor the levels of refrigerant they have within their systems as follows;

Leak Checking – this can only be done by fully qualified and certified refrigeration personnel

HFC Recovery

Operators must establish arrangements for recycling, reclamation or destruction on any decommissioning works. All operators of equipment with more than 3Kg will need to maintain records on the quantity and type of HFC installed. Any quantities added or recovered during maintenance, servicing and disposal will need to be recorded along with the leak checks and any actions taken.

To ensure that the correct procedures are carried out we would recommend that only an ACRIB (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board) trained engineer attends to your plant. Aerocool have been a member of ACRIB and HVCA (Heating and Ventilation Contractors Association) for several years and also became immediate members of the new REFCOM scheme.

Our commitment towards these professional bodies has allowed us to be fully compliant with all current laws and regulations, this represents our standard practice on all of our works based around the F-Gas regulations.

All buildings with a total output of more than 12kW of air conditioning cooling should have completed the Air Conditioning Energy Assessment by the 4th January 2011. If you control the operation of an air conditioning system affected by these Regulations, it may be your responsibility to ensure an inspection has been done in accordance with the requirements and timetable of the Regulations.

There will be a fine of £300 per site for non-compliance of this legislation.

Trading Standards Officers are now very pro-active in requesting certificates’

Aerocool can undertake these assessments on your behalf allowing you to see the report before it is finalised and lodged. This will allow your organisation to carry out any remedial work that is picked up on the inspection before it is sent to your client.

* Legislation now states that the Air Conditioning Energy Assessment will only be valid from the date the legislation was originally set. Further changes state that all assessors will have the authority to determine the period in which the assessment is required, ranging from a maximum five years for very efficient systems to three years for inefficient systems. *

If you have a building that is still dependent on R22 style air conditioning solutions we can provide a more efficient upgrade that will be cost effective for the future of your business. The main problem with R22:

Through a new European legislation which came into effect in the year 2015, there has been an overall ban on the use of R22 refrigerant in air conditioning systems as well as a ban on the top up throughout installed systems.

The R22 replacement ban is designed to reduce the environmental impact of air conditioning units. Leaks into the environment can be extremely hazardous to greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing these leaks is crucial to maintaining a secure environmental future for our world. Under the new standards it is now illegal to break into pipework or open systems which contain the R22 refrigerant. This can make it nearly impossible to maintain and repair these systems. With these standards in place it has become crucial for any property owner or business owner to look into replacement for these systems immediately.

It is not currently illegal to continue using the R22 refrigerant in an air conditioning unit, however without the ability to service or repair, this could be very detrimental to a property in the worst case scenario. Who will be affected by this new legislation?

There are thousands of buildings across the UK that still use this style of air conditioning refrigerant. This was the standard practice for air conditioning replacement and installation during the late 80’s into the early 90’s. Small splits and VRF air conditioning installed during this time is mostly based in R22 refrigerant technology.

The coming ban on R22 has been pending for some time and only a few business owners and property owners are taking steps to prepare for the future. There are still a very large portion of R22 systems in the UK and it is only a matter of time before they start to fail or require maintenance.

R22 systems are now deemed as obsolete. This means that crucial systems and commercial properties that require AC for operations, need to establish solutions today. For continued cooling and efficiency high risk properties like Hotels, Hospitals, Tech Data Centers and processing facilities should all consider upgrade immediately.

How we can provide support:

R22 replacement services through our company will generate a solution to upgrade your R22 cooling unit. We offer two main solutions based on the type of equipment that you have installed as well as its suitability for conversion or replacement:

Conversion systems: If your air conditioner is deemed to have plenty of lifespan remaining, we can work at installing an alternate refrigerant for your R22 air conditioner. We can remove oil as well as flush out the older refrigerant. With the replacement of driers and seals as well as removal of debris/contaminants, you can experience advantages like:

• Lowered costs for conversion
• Faster labour
• Extending use of well-functioning equipment.
• Full replacement: Our full replacement solutions will reinstall a completely new air conditioning unit for your needs. This is usually completed if your equipment is older. If the equipment has reached the end of its life cycle and there is a large risk that refrigerant could leak during the conversion process a new installation may be required to maintain efficiency within your cooling system and to eliminate the chance of harmful exposure in the environment.

Some of the main benefits of full replacement include:

• Greater levels of efficiency by having a cooling system designed to cool your space with current energy standards. Energy efficiency can help you to recoup costs of installation and replacement quickly.
• Less repair and maintenance costs.
• Less chance of environmental impact.

How to get started:

To get started with this process our skilled technicians will come to your property or properties to professionally inspect your equipment. We can then create an official report to identify the potential problems with your air conditioner as well as which option would be ideal for your needs. We will make recommendations for the most affordable solution for the long term.

With a comparison of costs and a detailed list of what it may require to convert or replace, you can make an informed decision about what would be best for your cooling needs.

The reason for calling today:

Acting now in the wake of the new R22 legislation is crucial. With so many properties effected by the need for replacement and conversion on their air conditioning units, this has created a substantial lead time in the industry. Most of these jobs need to be planned out several weeks in advance.

A problem with your air conditioner is also more likely when you need it most, during the summer months. Being stuck without the ability to find service on your air conditioner or several weeks lead time for replacement could be detrimental for a business or for your comfort.

Be sure to address any issues with your R22 air conditioner and to call our service professionals today to ensure we can get on the case and provide you with peace of mind on your cooling needs.

Contact our staff today and we can arrange a visit/inspection.