Change RegionBuilding Efficiency Q&A (HCFC / R22 phase-out)
What happened on January 1, 2010?
On January 1, 2010 the new European regulation on the use of HCFCs and R22 for cooling and refrigeration equipment have come into force. From that date it is forbidden to hold any stock of virgin HCFC / R22 refrigerant and it is also forbidden to use virgin HCFC/R22 refrigerant for the service & maintenance of equipment. Only recycled/reclaimed HCFC/R22 refrigerant can be used for the service and maintenance of your equipment.
What will happen if I just wait and do nothing?
If you have old equipment that is not business critical and that is reaching the end of it’s useful life, an option is to not do anything until you replace it. However, if you need to utilise the equipment for a number of years, it is better to plan to retrofit either the refrigerant or equipment as soon as possible, otherwise you risk not being able to source the reclaimed refrigerant quickly, if at all. Consequentially your plant or equipment could be off line for quite some time or possibly not repairable, as no one can guarantee how long stocks of legally recycled or reclaimed R22 will be available.
What is the objective of this new legislation?
The new European legislation on HCFC phase-out has the ultimate objective to reduce the GHG (Green House Gas) emissions into the atmosphere. GHG are responsible for Climate Change and avoiding releasing them in the atmosphere will help protect our planet. The EU HCFC / R22 phase-out legislation was created by the European Commission as a way to fulfil Europe commitment on Montreal protocol. For more information see the “History” page.
What will happen if I cannot find reclaimed HCFC refrigerant to service my equipment?
If you do not compensate for your system losses, its efficiency is going to decrease, your energy costs will increase significantly and ultimately you risk a system breakdown.
Where can I find reclaimed HCFC refrigerant?
Only authorised suppliers are able to provide reclaimed refrigerant. Please contact us to source some reclaimed refrigerant.
I have several systems using HCFC refrigerants, what are my options?
If you have several systems, you have the option to create a migration plan until end of December 2014. You can plan to retrofit progressively your HCFC/R22 systems while using the used HCFC/R22 gas you recover as a source of recycled or reclaimed refrigerant to maintain your other equipment. Be aware that by end of 2014 it will not be possible to maintain HCFC/R22 systems and compensate for their refrigerant losses so your plan has to be carefully thought through and address these requirements. Please contact us, as we can help you produce your migration plan.
Can I still use my existing stock of virgin HCFC refrigerant to maintain my equipment?
No. Since the first of January 2010 it is illegal to hold a stock of virgin HCFC refrigerant or to use virgin HCFC refrigerant to recharge systems. You can only use reclaimed or recycled refrigerant to recharge your systems. If you still hold some stock of virgin HCFC/R22, you need to dispose of it as fast as possible to avoid being liable to prosecution. By end of 2014, any stock of HCFC/R22, even if reclaimed or recycled, will be illegal to hold.
What is the likely cost of compliance with this new legislation?
The cost will vary a lot depending on the size of your systems, the number of systems you have and the age of these systems. Old systems will probably not accept a non-HCFC replacement refrigerant and will need to be completely replaced. This will be more costly than for recent systems, where a retrofit solution can sometimes be implemented, without having to replace the entire system.
What is the likely impact on my operating costs?
Depending on your choice, the operating costs will evolve positively or negatively. For example if you replace your entire system with a new system, there is a high chance that your operating costs will decrease significantly, because your previous system was probably very old and costly to run (both due to energy costs and maintenance costs). If you just upgrade your system to replace the HCFC refrigerant by a non-HCFC refrigerant, the probability of losing efficiency and increasing energy costs is very high, leading to higher operating costs. Efficiency drop can be as high as 20% or greater on some systems where the refrigerant is retrofitted, simply because your system was not originally designed to use this new refrigerant. This will mean that your system will have to run more to recover the efficiency loss, thus increasing the energy usage.
What is the likely impact on my energy costs?
Depending on your choice, the energy costs will evolve positively or negatively. For example if you replace your entire system with a new system, there is a high chance that your energy costs will decrease significantly because your previous system was probably very old and costly to run compared to a new system that is much more energy efficient.
If you just upgrade your system to replace the HCFC refrigerant by a non-HCFC refrigerant, the probability to loose efficiency and increase energy costs is very high. Efficiency drop can be as high as 20% or greater on some systems where the refrigerant is retrofitted, simply because your system was not originally designed to use this new refrigerant. This will mean that your system will have to run more to recover the efficiency loss thus increasing the energy usage & costs.
How can I reduce my energy costs whilst also complying with this new legislation?
There are several things that can be done to reduce the energy costs. Taking the opportunity to fit a VSD (Variable Speed Drive) on your system whilst carrying out the HCFC compliancy solution work, will allow your system to consume a lot less energy when not running at full capacity. Please contact us, we have many solutions to propose to reduce energy costs.
Do I need to sign a new Service Contract?
If you have a comprehensive Service Contract that does include the supply of refrigerant, it is not valid for the supply of reclaimed refrigerant. Please contact us so that we can discuss and advise you of your options.
My system leaks, what should I do?
As per the new European FGAS regulation, any leak that is detected should be repaired as fast as possible. If your system is using HCFC or R22 and is leaking, you need to address this issue very urgently because it will be very difficult to find replacement refrigerant and costs will be important. It is poor practice and not in the spirit of the legislation to leave a system knowingly leaking. Please contact us for service.
Are there some future-proof environmentally friendly solutions that I should consider?
Natural refrigerant based systems are ideal and future-proof options if you are considering replacing your current HCFC/R22 system. Using natural refrigerants will help you avoid any future tax that could be set on synthetic refrigerants. Please contact us for more information.
What are the penalties if I do not comply?
Legal / Financial penalties are still unclear at the moment but the clear penalty you will encounter is a significant raise of your service costs due to the need for recycled/reclaimed refrigerant, that will be difficult, costly and possibly impossible to source. Virgin refrigerant is not available anymore and not possible to legally source or utilise in Europe since January 1, 2010.
If I need more information, where can I find it?
Have a look at our web site, the links we provide and please contact us if you have any questions or need further assistance.
On January 1, 2010 the new European regulation on the use of HCFCs and R22 for cooling and refrigeration equipment have come into force. From that date it is forbidden to hold any stock of virgin HCFC / R22 refrigerant and it is also forbidden to use virgin HCFC/R22 refrigerant for the service & maintenance of equipment. Only recycled/reclaimed HCFC/R22 refrigerant can be used for the service and maintenance of your equipment.
What will happen if I just wait and do nothing?
If you have old equipment that is not business critical and that is reaching the end of it’s useful life, an option is to not do anything until you replace it. However, if you need to utilise the equipment for a number of years, it is better to plan to retrofit either the refrigerant or equipment as soon as possible, otherwise you risk not being able to source the reclaimed refrigerant quickly, if at all. Consequentially your plant or equipment could be off line for quite some time or possibly not repairable, as no one can guarantee how long stocks of legally recycled or reclaimed R22 will be available.
What is the objective of this new legislation?
The new European legislation on HCFC phase-out has the ultimate objective to reduce the GHG (Green House Gas) emissions into the atmosphere. GHG are responsible for Climate Change and avoiding releasing them in the atmosphere will help protect our planet. The EU HCFC / R22 phase-out legislation was created by the European Commission as a way to fulfil Europe commitment on Montreal protocol. For more information see the “History” page.
What will happen if I cannot find reclaimed HCFC refrigerant to service my equipment?
If you do not compensate for your system losses, its efficiency is going to decrease, your energy costs will increase significantly and ultimately you risk a system breakdown.
Where can I find reclaimed HCFC refrigerant?
Only authorised suppliers are able to provide reclaimed refrigerant. Please contact us to source some reclaimed refrigerant.
I have several systems using HCFC refrigerants, what are my options?
If you have several systems, you have the option to create a migration plan until end of December 2014. You can plan to retrofit progressively your HCFC/R22 systems while using the used HCFC/R22 gas you recover as a source of recycled or reclaimed refrigerant to maintain your other equipment. Be aware that by end of 2014 it will not be possible to maintain HCFC/R22 systems and compensate for their refrigerant losses so your plan has to be carefully thought through and address these requirements. Please contact us, as we can help you produce your migration plan.
Can I still use my existing stock of virgin HCFC refrigerant to maintain my equipment?
No. Since the first of January 2010 it is illegal to hold a stock of virgin HCFC refrigerant or to use virgin HCFC refrigerant to recharge systems. You can only use reclaimed or recycled refrigerant to recharge your systems. If you still hold some stock of virgin HCFC/R22, you need to dispose of it as fast as possible to avoid being liable to prosecution. By end of 2014, any stock of HCFC/R22, even if reclaimed or recycled, will be illegal to hold.
What is the likely cost of compliance with this new legislation?
The cost will vary a lot depending on the size of your systems, the number of systems you have and the age of these systems. Old systems will probably not accept a non-HCFC replacement refrigerant and will need to be completely replaced. This will be more costly than for recent systems, where a retrofit solution can sometimes be implemented, without having to replace the entire system.
What is the likely impact on my operating costs?
Depending on your choice, the operating costs will evolve positively or negatively. For example if you replace your entire system with a new system, there is a high chance that your operating costs will decrease significantly, because your previous system was probably very old and costly to run (both due to energy costs and maintenance costs). If you just upgrade your system to replace the HCFC refrigerant by a non-HCFC refrigerant, the probability of losing efficiency and increasing energy costs is very high, leading to higher operating costs. Efficiency drop can be as high as 20% or greater on some systems where the refrigerant is retrofitted, simply because your system was not originally designed to use this new refrigerant. This will mean that your system will have to run more to recover the efficiency loss, thus increasing the energy usage.
What is the likely impact on my energy costs?
Depending on your choice, the energy costs will evolve positively or negatively. For example if you replace your entire system with a new system, there is a high chance that your energy costs will decrease significantly because your previous system was probably very old and costly to run compared to a new system that is much more energy efficient.
If you just upgrade your system to replace the HCFC refrigerant by a non-HCFC refrigerant, the probability to loose efficiency and increase energy costs is very high. Efficiency drop can be as high as 20% or greater on some systems where the refrigerant is retrofitted, simply because your system was not originally designed to use this new refrigerant. This will mean that your system will have to run more to recover the efficiency loss thus increasing the energy usage & costs.
How can I reduce my energy costs whilst also complying with this new legislation?
There are several things that can be done to reduce the energy costs. Taking the opportunity to fit a VSD (Variable Speed Drive) on your system whilst carrying out the HCFC compliancy solution work, will allow your system to consume a lot less energy when not running at full capacity. Please contact us, we have many solutions to propose to reduce energy costs.
Do I need to sign a new Service Contract?
If you have a comprehensive Service Contract that does include the supply of refrigerant, it is not valid for the supply of reclaimed refrigerant. Please contact us so that we can discuss and advise you of your options.
My system leaks, what should I do?
As per the new European FGAS regulation, any leak that is detected should be repaired as fast as possible. If your system is using HCFC or R22 and is leaking, you need to address this issue very urgently because it will be very difficult to find replacement refrigerant and costs will be important. It is poor practice and not in the spirit of the legislation to leave a system knowingly leaking. Please contact us for service.
Are there some future-proof environmentally friendly solutions that I should consider?
Natural refrigerant based systems are ideal and future-proof options if you are considering replacing your current HCFC/R22 system. Using natural refrigerants will help you avoid any future tax that could be set on synthetic refrigerants. Please contact us for more information.
What are the penalties if I do not comply?
Legal / Financial penalties are still unclear at the moment but the clear penalty you will encounter is a significant raise of your service costs due to the need for recycled/reclaimed refrigerant, that will be difficult, costly and possibly impossible to source. Virgin refrigerant is not available anymore and not possible to legally source or utilise in Europe since January 1, 2010.
If I need more information, where can I find it?
Have a look at our web site, the links we provide and please contact us if you have any questions or need further assistance.
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