Supermarket chillers will be
affected by the F-Gas rules
Shutterstock
Healthier chill
Moves in Europe aimed at banning the use of
UK sector, systems using HFCs are actually more energy
efficient, and therefore have a lower carbon footprint,
certain greenhouse gases in refrigeration and
than those using alternative non-fluorinated gases.
aircon units are nonsensical, claims the UK
HFCs are in the legislators’ firing line, however,
because the industry historically has had a lamentable
industry, which argues that the truly green
record when it comes to leakage rates. Suppliers
option is to ensure these refrigerants are
estimate that up to 30 per cent of all refrigerants sold
are used to top up leaking systems.
properly sealed. Ewen Rose reports
But, properly applied, the F-Gas regulation has
the potential to limit HFC leakage and, therefore, its
T
he European Commission is under heavy impact on the environment. For example, the Dutch
pressure from environmental groups to ban STEK scheme, which partly inspired the F-Gas rule,
the use of hydrofluorcarbon (HFC) gases as reduced refrigerant leakage rates from around nine per
refrigerants in cooling equipment. Late next cent to less than two per cent in 16 years.
year the commission is due to review the current “F-Gas must be given a chance to work,” says Karen
regulations around the use of such gases, and may Leader of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors
decide to phase them out. Association. “The professional industry welcomes a piece
This is despite the fact that the new ‘F-Gas’ rules on of legislation that has the potential to raise standards and
the use of such refrigerants were introduced only this remove unregulated firms from the sector.
year, with the aim of ensuring they do not leak from “The controversy surrounding the long-term role of
systems – a requirement that has been welcomed by the HFC refrigerants has created a false impression that
industry despite the multi-million pound costs involved we are locked in combat with the environmental lobby.
in implementing it. We are not. We share the same aims.
In fact, when it comes to which type of refrigerant “RAC [refrigeration and air conditioning] engineers
gases are ‘best’ for the environment, according to the have access to a wide range of potential solutions and
32 CIBSE Journal August 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEaug09 pp32-34 Refrig.indd 32 23/7/09 15:55:16
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