The hospitality sector has a major problem: many of its air conditioning and refrigeration systems are still running on refrigerants that will be illegal from 2015. This means that, if the system in your hotel, restaurant, pub or bar fails, you will have a major problem and will not simply be able to get it repaired.
This article explains your options and what you should be doing about them, and has been written by Graeme Fox, President of AREA, the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration European Contractors’ Association, and a former Chairman of the B&ES Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Group.
What’s the problem?
Although many are now conversant with the term CFCs and understand the damage those gases did to the ozone layer, fewer people are aware that we are now in the latter stages of a phase out of HCFC gases too. In fact after 31st December 2014 it will be illegal to charge or re-charge any equipment with HCFC gases. But what type of equipment still contains HCFCs?
The most common HCFC gas in use in the UK is a freon refrigerant gas known as R22 and that gas is widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems the length and breadth of the country. If you have an air conditioning system that is around 12 years old or older, then the chances are it will be using R22 gas and will effectively become obsolete at the end of this year. There are options but the first step is to consult a local B&ES (Building and Engineering Services Association) specialist company from their Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Group (http://b-es.org).
A reputable contractor will be able to identify what gas is in your system and advise what further action needs to be taken, if any. If you do have an HCFC in your systems then there are a number of courses you can take.
Option 1: Replace the whole system
This is obviously the most expensive option in terms of up front costs but there are longer term benefits to this option.
Newer systems using non ozone depleting HFC gases are far more energy efficient than the old HCFC ones were. In case studies of large retail premises where the R22 systems were replaced with R410a systems (the most common gas in use in air conditioning applications today) there have been payback periods as little as 2 years purely from the energy consumption savings alone.
The new units tend to be smaller as well – the indoor and outdoor units having a smaller footprint because the thermal efficiency of the gas itself is so much better. The controls are also much more user friendly and flexible than older systems because of rapid advances in digital technology. All round this is the best option, but if the capital outlay is out of the question then what can be done in the short term?
Option 2: Replace the gas
There are a number of gases that have been described as “drop in” replacements. This term became widely used as CFCs were phased out and the gases were truly “drop ins” for those systems. Often it was a simple case of decanting the CFC gas charge and recharging the system with an alternative, non ozone depleting, specially developed gas that would not require changing the oil or anything significant in the unit.
However, when replacing HCFC gases this process is not so straight forward and will need the intervention of a specialist. The reason is that different types of system will need different types of replacement gas – there is no “one size fits all” universal drop in. Some types of cooling system will need gaskets and seals replacing as well as oil – otherwise the entire gas charge will simply leak out over time, rendering the entire process on environmental grounds rather fruitless!
If the process is carried out diligently, and after consulting the gas manufacturers to find the correct gas for your system, then the system should be able to run for another few years buying you time to plan the swap out down the line.
Option 3: Do nothing!
Although this is clearly the cheapest option, it is fraught with danger. One would assume that you have a cooling or heating system installed because there is a need for it. How critical that need is will be crucial in your decision for how to deal with this issue, but foremost you will have to consider the implications of doing nothing before 31st December.
If your system has any breakdown that requires breaking into the refrigerant circuit (i.e. a change of compressor, expansion device, reversing valve, or any part of the heat exchanger or circuit) then the gas charge must be recovered by a certified competent technician working for a registered company – this is not only a legal requirement but is essential for your own duty of care to your staff, residents or clients in ensuring that work is done professionally.
Until now, it has been legally acceptable to decant the gas, carry out the repair work and then recharge the decanted gas. However, after 31st December your service company will no longer be allowed to do that. After decanting the gas into a recovery cylinder it will have to be sent for destruction at an approved facility as it can no longer be used.
This will leave you with a dilemma that could prove extremely urgent. Spare parts for these older systems will become more and more obsolete as time marches on, so simply getting parts will become slow or sporadic. Even if you can get the parts, then you will have to arrange to get the correct gas for that type of unit bearing in mind the complications we’ve already outlined.
All in all this could prove very costly and will no doubt be a lengthy process during which time you will have a non operational system.
What to do?
Whichever option you decide on, you will have to move quickly on this. The price of recycled R22 – the only type that can still legally used before 31st December – is increasing monthly as demand greatly outstrips supply, and service companies are already busy carrying out this work.
But whatever you decide, the first step is to contact your local B&ES Refrigeration and Air Conditioning specialist to find out if you are affected by this change in the law.
About B&ES
The Building and Engineering Services Association (B&ES) is the natural home for companies which provide engineering services in buildings, which pride themselves on completing projects on time and on budget, and which can demonstrate quality, competence and commitment to engineering excellence.
All B&ES member companies operate according to a strict Code of Fair Trading, and are subject to regular third-party inspection and assessment of both their technical competence and their commercial capability, a process undertaken by an independent certification body according to rigorous industry criteria.
The B&ES Locate a Contractor service is a FREE online search service designed to make it easy and quick to find B&ES member(s) that you require to deliver refrigeration, air conditioning, heating, ventilating, ductwork, facilities management, commissioning and maintenance services.
For more information click here