PHAM NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2026 32 Test & Measuring Instruments


Addressing the risks hidden within HVAC systems


HVAC systems are essential for controlling temperature, humidity and air quality in modern buildings. However, they also pose health, financial and environmental risks. Shaun Evers from Stonegate Instruments explains how gas detection instruments can help mitigate risk.


R


efrigerant leaks remain one of the most persistent and underestimated


risks in installed HVAC systems, impacting not just performance and cost, but also emissions and compliance. Most engineers will have seen the impact of undercharged HVAC systems: longer run times, poor performance and rising energy use. But the scale is often underestimated. According to The Carbon


Trust, the average UK system loses around 20% of its refrigerant gases every year. In theory, that pushes energy use up by around 11%. Most leaks remain undetected until 60% of the gas has escaped. By the time they are identified, energy costs can be up to a third higher. As this has a direct impact on operating costs for building operators and managers, it can come back as a performance complaint for installers, even when the root cause sits outside the original install.


Safety and sustainability While refrigerant leaks are not new, they remain easy to underestimate. In enclosed or poorly ventilated areas, they can pose a genuine hazard. The challenge is that most refrigerants give no obvious warning when there’s a leak – they are generally colourless, odourless and tasteless, making them difficult to detect without the right instruments in place. For installers working in


plant rooms, ceiling voids or confined spaces, that’s a


serious risk. And for building operators and managers, it creates clear duty-of-care responsibilities: if refrigerant leaks into a confined space, it can quickly build to dangerous concentrations, leading to symptoms ranging from irritation and breathing difficulties to unconsciousness or asphyxiation. Compliance is another


Shaun Evers MD of Stonegate Instruments


How do you futureproof a system against something you can’t see? Gas detection technology is increasingly becoming part of that answer.


area that is moving up the priority list. F-gas regulations already require leak prevention, routine checks and proper recordkeeping. But enforcement is tightening, and expectations around accountability are increasing. This shifts the responsibility for installers beyond the initial installation – systems need to be set up in a way that supports ongoing leak detection, record-keeping and compliance over their full operational life. Alongside this, there is the


environmental impact. With a global warming potential (GWP) several thousand times that of carbon dioxide, even small refrigerant leaks can have an impact on the environment and significantly increase a building’s whole- life carbon footprint, putting decarbonisation strategies and net zero goals at risk.


Between visits Scheduled servicing has its place, but it doesn’t solve the gap between visits. A system can develop and lose a significant amount of refrigerant long before the next planned check. That is where many of the problems start – efficiency drops and costs rise.


This creates a challenge


for installers: how do you futureproof a system against something you can’t see? Gas detection technology is increasingly becoming part of that answer. In recent years, new


regulations have spurred the development of self-contained gas sensors that enable leaks of toxic and non-toxic gases to be swiftly identified and repaired. Semiconductor and infrared sensors can now be calibrated to detect both HVAC and non-HVAC gases with precision. Moreover, their sensitivity can be customised for specific environments by configuring them to operate within pre-defined mixtures of gases and air, ensuring accuracy and reducing false alarms. Active filters also extend sensor life by filtering out irrelevant gases, lowering maintenance needs. Many systems can be


integrated with building management systems (BMS), allowing operators to monitor conditions remotely, log data for compliance, and automate responses. Visual and audible alarms provide immediate alerts to staff, while integration with site-wide systems can trigger ventilation or shutdown protocols to prevent escalation. Whether a leak results


from mechanical damage, equipment failure or poor maintenance, modern gas detection systems ensure they are quickly identified and repaired at the first opportunity, helping prevent a minor incident from becoming a health and safety crisis.


Benefits for all For building operators and managers, the advantages of gas detection systems are clear: improved safety for occupants and maintenance teams, lower energy costs through maintained system efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and stronger compliance with F-gas requirements. Installers stand to benefit


too as the provision of gas detection technology provides a straightforward way to add value at the design and install stage – giving customers greater confidence in system performance while reducing the likelihood of callbacks. At the end of the day, even


the best technology can’t replace good installation and maintenance practice. By making refrigerant leaks measurable and manageable, gas detection adds an additional layer of protection, helping to identify problems that may otherwise go unnoticed until they affect safety, performance or running costs. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/926/64


CUT TO THE CHASE


 Average UK HVAC systems lose around 20% of refrigerant annually


 Most refrigerants provide no obvious sensory warning of a leak


 F-gas requirements place increasing emphasis on leak prevention and recordkeeping


 Semiconductor and infrared sensors can provide targeted, continuous leak detection


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40