Andrew Skyes advises on non-HCFC air conditioning

The Andrews Skyes Group explores the advantages of replacing HCFC air conditioning systems with ozone friendly refrigerant systems in line with new regulations.

New regulations banning of the refrigerant R22 will apply by the end of 2009.

R22 is the most commonly used refrigerant in the UK which means the regulations will hold implications for owners and operators of air conditioning installations.

R22 is a member of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) class of compounds.

HCFCs have been linked to ozone depletion and have been replaced with non ozone depleting alternatives such as R410a and R407c.

From 1 January 2010, the use of virgin R22 and other HCFCs in the maintenance of refrigeration equipment will be banned.

The regulations will ban the stockpiling of virgin R22 for future use meaning that any unused R22 will have to be returned for destruction at the owner's expense.

R22 in recycled form will also be banned at the end of 2014 but that date could be brought forward.

Andrew Skyes Group has explored the available options for owners in meeting the regulation regulation requirements.

There are a number of factors suggesting that completely replacing an old installation, with one that uses an ozone friendly refrigerant, would be the most advantageous.

This initially seems like the most expensive option yet a new air conditioning system is likely to pay back its original installation cost in energy savings within four years.

Other reasons are that any R22 based air conditioning system is at least 6 years old and likely to be driven by obsolete fixed speed compressor technology.

Replacing this with a modern, digital inverter controlled system would offer immediate energy savings of up to 70 per cent.

Increasing costs and reduced spares availability would eventually lead to the old system becoming uneconomic to maintain.

The cost and time spent replacing outdated equipment could be reduced by retaining existing pipe work and electrical supplies.

Many equipment manufacturers have introduced condensers and fan coil units specifically designed for this purpose.

A new system is less likely to suffer a breakdown and also benefits from a manufacturer's 3-5 year warranty.

A further benefit is that modern air conditioning systems generally incorporate heat pump technology as standard, providing cooling in the summer and energy efficient heating in the winter.

If the installation is in a domestic property or purchased by a not-for-profit organisation, the reduced VAT rate of 5 per cent applies.

The Government's aim of reducing the UK's CO2 emissions has led to the introduction of the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme which allows any company replacing an existing air conditioning system with a more energy efficient one, to offset the cost of the project against its taxable profits in year the new system is installed.

A new system would enable building owners to achieve improved energy ratings under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

The Carbon Trust offers UK businesses unsecured, interest free loans up to GBP400,000, repayable over 4 years and are designed to fund investment in energy efficient systems such as air conditioning.

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