HVAC ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

The drive towards lower carbon emissions and a greener workplace has led to an extensive range of new obligations which are often complex to interpret. Clean Air can help! We have a keen understanding of the latest regulations and will guide you through your responsibilities. There really is no substitute for practical experience. Our indepth understanding of HVAC products and technologies combine with an appreciation of 'real life' capabilities. We know what products suit which applications best. This means that you can have confidence that our solutions will be appropriate, carefully considered and cost effective. We expect to save you money and repay capital expenditure quickly by lowering running costs and, where possible, applying for Carbon Trust incentives.

R-22 Refrigerant Ban in Air Conditioning

From 1 Jan 2010 it became illegal to use virgin hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) such as R-22 when servicing and maintaining air conditioning equipment. This is an issue for many as R-22 was the most commonly used refrigerant until about 2002. Until the 31 December 2014 temporary use of recycled/recovered R-22 is possible but availability could be limited and costs high.

From 1 January 2015 sales or use of recycled/recovered R-22 will be prohibited.

Clean Air can help

We will assist you develop a corporate strategy to ensure compliance with the new legislation. Simply call us now and we will audit your equipment and advise on the options. These include replacement, refit or retrofit. A new air conditioning system may represent the best long term investment - in which case we will calculate likely energy savings, CO2 reductions and the payback period. We will project manage the transition to ensure the smooth integration of new systems and the safe disposal of the R-22 refrigerant.

Three Options

Replace plant

Many R-22 units are now reasonably old and replacement through phase out is often the best way forward. The good news is that new systems using the latest inverter technologies are likely to have a significantly greater cooling capability (up to 15%) and to use far less electricity (on average approx. 50%). The payback period and the opportunity to make significant CO² reductions can add up to a big incentive to invest (see examples above right).

An added incentive may be the Government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme which could allow accelerated tax relief on certain new equipment. Call for further advice, or visit www.eca.gov.uk/etl

Refit or retrofit plant to use alternative refrigerant

Depending on the type, age and condition of equipment in some situations ‘replacement technology’ means it is possible to adapt systems to use legally permitted HFC's or an HFC blend (drop in replacements). System efficiency and reliability needs to be considered and only qualified engineers can undertake this work.

Continue using recycled refrigerant

Not the long term solution, but until 31 December 2014 it is possible to use a recycled refrigerant - however it’s availability and cost could well be an issue.

Further information:

DETR / DTI pdf guide
Clean Air R-22 pdf guide

F-Gas Regulations

F-Gas legislation, introduced in 2006/7, seeks to reduce fluorinated greenhouse gases by placing obligations on operators of stationary air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump equipment. The regulations cover responsible use of F-gases (such as HFC’s) including containment, inspection and testing for leakages, record keeping and use of properly certified personnel to recover gases.

Containment: where technically feasible and not disproportionately costly all measures must be used to prevent leaks. Repairs to detected leakages must be made as soon as possible.

Minimum inspection checks for leakages: 3kg charge (6kg where hermetically sealed): every 12 months; 30kg charge: every 6 months (or 12 months with automatic leak detection system); 300kg: every 3 months (requires mandatory automatic leak detection tested every 12 months)

Records: must be maintained for all equipment with a 3kg charge or greater. These include type of F gas (HFC’s) and quantity including any quantities recovered or added (eg during service, maintenance or disposal), leakage inspections, service and maintenance history and any resultant actions.

Clean Air can help

Call or contact us now! We will carry out a system audit and arrange inspections to help ensure you meet your obligations. Many leaks and problems can be avoided through expert system design, service and maintenance. Our engineers are fully trained to work with refrigerants and will be able to recommend the correct remedial action where it is required.

Further information:

www.refcom.org.uk/
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/air/fgas/sectors/rac.htm

Energy Performance Directive (EPBD)

The intention of the EPBD is reduce carbon emissions by identifying opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of your air conditioning equipment. In addition to efficiency the inspection will report on any identified faults, the adequacy of maintenance and controls and the size and cooling loads of your existing equipment. It will suggests ways it may be improved which might include replacement.

EPBD requirements

The EPBD requires that all air conditioning systems with a rated output of 12kw or over are inspected by the 4 January 2011. This is a total figure combined from all air conditioning units controlled by your business. After this an inspection is necessary every 5 years. New systems installed on or after 1 January 2008 require their first inspection within 5 years of the install date.

Clean Air can help

The time for action is now! We will commission an independent Accredited Air Conditioning Assessors (who are the only persons who can carry out inspections) at preferential rates starting from just £565+vat. We will go through their report and recommendations with you, using our experience and expertise to guide you through any action that is required. This may simply involve a service and the replacing of filters, or it may be an update to your existing plant. If a new energy efficient air conditioning system is actually the most sensible investment we will provide a fully costed proposal together with calculations of your likely energy and CO2 savings.

Further information:

Clean Air EPBD FAQ
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/airconditioning
www.planningportal.gov.uk

Part L Building Regulations

The EPBD establishes minimum standards of energy efficiency for new cooling and heating equipment and Part L of the Building Regulations enforces many of it’s requirements. rated according to its type and it’s efficiency at full load.

Clean Air can help

We will review HVAC equipment, considering efficiency at full load and carbon dioxide emissions and relating it to Target Emission Rates and Building Emission Rates. Expert advise is a necessity and our Clean Air HVAC designers will be pleased to assist you.

Further information:

www.planningportal.gov.uk

Disclaimer

The information contained on this website or in our downloadable guides is for brief and general guidance on the likely consequences of the new regulations. It must not be relied upon as being a definitive interpretation of legislation or a statement of law and it is not a substitute for legal advice. Clean Air Group (a trading style of: Clean Air Technology Ltd, Clean Air Installations Ltd and Clean Air Facilities Ltd) accept no liability for any loss resulting from reliance on this document and disclaim any responsibility howsoever arising from any inaccuracies, errors or omissions which may be present.