It's now illegal to use R22 refrigerant in maintenance or servicing of air conditioning equipment, and its inclusion in new units has been banned by government and EU legislation since 2003. As a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), R22 has ozone depletion potential (ODP), which means it can damage the environment and the ozone. Find out more about ozone depletion potential.
Timeline
- 2003: New air conditioning units must be free of R22 refrigerant
- 2009: Only reclaimed R22 can be used in servicing and maintenance
- 2015: R22 can no longer be used in any air conditioning servicing or maintenance
The Solution
A system that currently uses R22 does not necessarily need to be replaced. There is now a range of drop-in refrigerants that do the job of R22 but are safe and legal to use, with zero ODP.
However, it may still be better to replace your existing system as ever-improving efficiency levels mean the energy savings can lead to a payback period as short as seven years.
How we can help
361 Degrees design, install and service air conditioning systems that meet all government requirements. We worked with manufacturers, including Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin, to develop a programme to assist you in the efficient management of all your R22 equipment.
The Programme
- Conduct a site survey
- Meet with you to discuss your air conditioning system and your requirements
- Design your system and discuss equipment specifications
- Prepare a budget for replacement parts
- Provide energy efficiency cost comparisons
Further Reading
A great study by Mitsubishi Electric on ‘The Case for Replace’
Daikin UK - A guide to legislation and options
