HCFC and R22 Phase Out - London, Surrey & Sussex 

HCFC and R22 Refrigerant Phase Out - London, Surrey & Sussex

R22 is commonly used in air conditioning systems and several other refrigeration applications. 

Why are the R22 legislation changes being made?

The reason the R22 refrigerant legislation is changing is simple - cases have shown that HCFCs have a detrimental effect on the Ozone layer resulting in excessive UV levels. Due to this, R22 refrigerants may contribute to futher damage.

When do the changes have to be completed by?

Although many companies have undergone or are in the process of replacing their R22 air conditioning systems, many conversions still need to be undertaken to ensure that the deadline is for complete R22 replacement is accomplished.

From 1^st January 2015, it will be illegal to use any hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) to service refrigeration and air conditioning equipment – so recycled HCFC may no longer be used. Although it may be permissible to carry on using equipment that contains R22 refrigerant beyond the phase-out date, there must be no maintenance or servicing undertaken on R22 equipment where it may involve breaking into the refrigerant circuit.

We are giving notice as recommendation that these units are replaced prior to the phase out date, and we can demonstrate long-term cost saving from this.

We can also put together payment plans to spread the cost of this project over longer terms to reduce upfront expenditure.

We estimate that new energy efficient inverter systems will pay for themselves within 2 years, due to reduced running costs.

Please click here to download PDF or for the Legislative Update and Strategies for HCFC Phase out click here to download PDF.

Do R22 refrigerants contribute to global warming?

The subject on whether R22 refrigerants and HCFCs contribute to global warming is still a subject of intensive debate although many companies have taken the opportunity to comply with new regulations earlier than planned. This is being demonstrated as two levels:

To start with, the majority of R22 refrigeration units will be at least one third of the way through their foreseeable life. As existing R22 refrigeration systems begin to require modernisation, the majoirty of companies and landlords are choosing to phase out early rather than going to the expense of repairing or maintaning them when eventually they will want to replace them.

Secondly, unlike the R22 refrigerants, each newly manufactured air conditioning system will use refrigerants such as R410a or R407c which have zero Ozone depleting potential and are also proved to be more energey efficient therefore making a wiser and more popular choice for companies and landlords.