Industry News


HVAC Maintenance: The Role Of Gas Detectors


Proactive


The traditional approach to HVAC maintenance is no longer fit for purpose. Periodic inspections often fail to detect problems, such as refrigerant leaks, until performance, energy efficiency and occupant safety are already compromised. Shaun Evers, managing director of Stonegate Instruments, explores how facilities teams are adopting more proactive strategies that identify issues before they escalate.


Advances in gas detection technology have shifted heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) maintenance from a reactive, schedule-based approach to one that is more proactive and data-led. By implementing ongoing monitoring rather than periodic inspections,


facilities


managers can identify and address issues before they escalate.


Recent advancements in self-contained gas sensor technology have simplified detection and made fixing leaks more cost-effective.


semiconductor or infrared sensing elements,


the


Fitted with latest


detectors


integrated now


accurately identify both HVAC and non- HVAC gases. Furthermore, because they can be configured to work with pre-defined mixtures of gases and air, they can be tailored to operate in specific environments.


The latest gas sensor technologies also enhance safety. Built-in audio-visual alarms and LED indicators instantly alert


facilities


teams and occupants when a leak is detected, while integration with building management systems ensures automated responses can be triggered.


Moreover, some systems are designed with active filters that, by blocking the detection of irrelevant gases, increase the lifecycles of the sensors and cut maintenance costs.


Advantages Of Proactive HVAC Maintenance


Identifying and addressing HVAC issues before they escalate has advantages for operational efficiency, compliance, health and safety, and the environment.


With regard to efficiency, a refrigerant leak forces an HVAC system to operate for much longer to maintain desired temperatures. This increases energy consumption and pushes both energy costs and related CO2


emissions upwards.


The Carbon Trust estimates that the average UK system loses around 20% of refrigerant gases every year, a reduction that increases energy consumption by 11%. As most leaks go unnoticed until 60% of the gas has been lost, maintaining capacity would increase energy costs by 33% and significantly amplify whole-life carbon emissions. However, by enabling leaks to be addressed quickly, the energy cost savings provided by gas detectors can deliver a return on investment within two years.


For occupants, exposure to leaked HVAC gases presents health risks that range from headaches, coughing and nausea to skin and eye irritation, breathing difficulties and vomiting. Higher concentrations,


especially in


confined spaces, can even lead to unconsciousness and suffocation.


Odourless, leaked


refrigerant


colourless and tasteless, gases


have detected, and the always


posed a serious health and safety issue for facilities managers. However, with proactive gas sensor monitoring, they are swiftly


risk exposure is minimised.


As the global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerant gases is several thousand times that of CO2


, there are increasingly stricter


regulations on their use. Systems with five or more tonnes of CO2 equivalent gases now require regular inspections, while those with more than 500 tonnes must have automatic leak detection systems installed. Refrigerants with a GWP above 2,500, meanwhile, can no longer be used to refill or service large HVAC systems.


With fines of up to £200,000 for non-compliance, the costs of repairs, downtime and damaged customer confidence, plus the impact on decarbonisation strategies, the effects of gas leaks can be considerable. With gas leak detection systems installed, facilities teams can support F-gas compliance while also providing evidence for wider energy, carbon and ESG reporting.


Ongoing Monitoring And Detection


Today’s smart gas detection technology offers facilities managers a practical means to shift from scheduled maintenance to proactive monitoring. Not only does this keep occupants safe, improve operational efficiency and cut energy waste, but it also reduces maintenance needs, minimises environmental impact and supports compliance with evolving F-gas regulations.


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