40% of companies unprepared for air con gas ban, and don’t care
As the total ban on the use of R22 refrigerant gas in older air conditioning systems approaches in 2015, it emerges that 40% of companies are not prepared for the change in the law.
However, a British air conditioning company has found that many companies still use older R22-reliant systems, and have made no plans to make alternative arrangements.
New rules mean that R22- a gas known for the damage that it causes to the Earth’s ozone layer – cannot be used at all in air conditioning systems across the European Union, and according to AirConUK the time for thousands of British businesses to act is now unless they fall foul of the law.
AirConUK spokesman Jonathan Ratcliffe, said: “and leaving things to the last minute is reckless in the extreme. British businesses have known about this change for years now.”
An email survey of 2,564 businesses made by AirConUK found that while many businesses already have compliant air conditioning systems already up and running, some of those with pre-2004 units are struggling to come to terms with the new legislation.
Of companies with air conditioning:
– 52% said they’ve made the change, or in the process of doing so
– 40 % said they’re aware of the need to change but have done nothing yet
– 8% claimed that they’re unaware of the R22 phase-out
– Nearly two-thirds of those who had not phased R22 out of their systems cited cost as the major factor in delaying the work.
The good news for businesses still using the R22 refrigerant is that they might not have to invest in a completely new system, AirConUK says.
Jonathan continued: “In some pre-2004 systems, upgrading to modern refrigerants may simply require the replacement of some parts. It all depends on the age and compatibility of the system.”
Jonathan puts the lack of action by many companies down to the economic downturn, which has made them reluctant to invest in changes to their systems.
Jonathan concluded: “We’ve known about the R22 phase-out for older systems for years now. Back then, it seemed a long way away, and troubled financial times mean that business owners are hoping to ride out the storm before paying out for the necessary changes. They are happy self maintaining, and if it works great.”
R22 has not been legal for use in new air conditioning equipment since 2004. EU regulations currently mean that only recycled R22 from old units can currently be used to top up systems, and this will be outlawed completely in 2015.
