New legislation that comes into force in the UK in January 2015 bans the use of both new and recycled sources of the R22 refrigerant commonly used in air conditioning systems. R22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and when it is released into the atmosphere the ultraviolet rays of the sun cause it to decompose and release chlorine. The chlorine depletes the ozone and can subsequently cause health and environmental issues. R22 has been phased out as part of the Ozone Regulation that came into force in 2000.
The impact of the R22 ban will affect every organisation whose air conditioning still uses the refrigerant.
It is vital for companies to act now and plan for the future before prices of R22 become extortionately high and shortage of supply means AC systems will no longer be serviceable.
Why you need to act now…
After 31 December 2014, R22 can still be used within operating systems; however if for any reason it leaves a system, the result will mean that the system is non-serviceable and will need to be replaced or an alternative gas installed.
Available solutions for R22 replacement are not and have never been a seamless switch over and can be fraught with problems such as system leaks, broken fans, control faults, compressor faults, and dirty heat exchangers.
No two conversions are the same
R22 conversion is never the same for two systems, even for two systems on identical chillers on the same site. All R22 equipment will be at least 12-14 years old and the available solutions are not a five-minute fix. It is likely to be more cost effective to replace your old R22 kit with new equipment, particularly as the significant developments in heat pump technology used in today’s air conditioning units running on R410A offer improved performance and significantly lower running costs than their old R22 predecessors.
