Blender, re-packer and distributor of speciality gases and chemicals A-Gas says its latest research suggests that, although many health estate managers appear well prepared for the phase out of HCFCs and other ODP (ozone depletion potential) refrigerants, “there is still much confusion”.
From 1 January this year an EC-wide ban came into force, making it illegal to use virgin R22 and other HCFCs. A-Gas says there remains “a considerable amount of confusion as to what exactly is being phased out”. The company says: “From the start of this year it is not just R22 that must be phased out, but all single HCFCs, and blends containing HCFCs, including R123, R124, R141b, R142b, R401 A/B, R402 A/B, R403 A/B, R406 A, R408 A and R409 A/B.” A-Gas has been running roadshows with refrigeration and air conditioning product distributor Climate Center to increase awareness of the phase-out and share experiences of retrofit blends. It said: “Judging by the comments and queries from over 300 engineers and industry professionals attending, the legislation’s full impact still has not yet been grasped. The choices are clear: either replace with new equipment that uses a non-ODP refrigerant such as CO2, NH3, HCs or HFCs, retrofit with a non-ODP refrigerant such as the ISCEON MO 9 series or RS range, or implement a strategy based on genuine reclaimed HCFC refrigerants.”
