Air Conditioning & Refrigeration equipment needs special care and maintenance. But will this help if the products don’t comply with the standards? UK laws have a tendency to change fast. That’s why following the news is vital. Some regulations apply only to the UK, many are adopted from the EU, while others apply internationally.
Let’s browse some important information for air conditioning & refrigeration equipment manufacturers, buyers, and owners.
F-Gas Reduction
One of the most important latest standards is aimed at reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F- gases). The EC Regulation No 517/2014 was enforced in the UK in January 2015.
F-gases can damage the ozone layer. The emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases occur when there is a leakage in air conditioning & refrigeration equipment. The leak can take place during manufacturing, operation, and disposal of the machinery.
For over 10 years, the EU has been trying to deal with these gases by enforcing leak checking, repairs and technician training. However, this approach didn’t produce sufficient results. The new regulation should cut the emissions by 80% by 2035. The total amount of F-gases in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning plant will be reduced gradually.
The regulation has several stages of implementation. It was adopted in 2015, but new rules apply every year in stages. The regulation implicates criminal liability for wilful non-compliance. Business owners can be criminally prosecuted for intentionally releasing F-gases into the atmosphere and selling the products listed in Annex III to the Regulation No 517/2014.
Starting in January 2017, all equipped charged with HFCs can’t be put up for sale unless it falls within the quota limits. Putting such equipment on the market is a criminal offense.
Energy Technology List Updates
If you are a business owner who pays income tax (as a sole trader) or corporation tax (as a limited company or PLC), you have a chance to receive 100% first-year capital allowance on the equipment in case it’s on the energy technology list (ETL). The ETL is being updated on a regular basis so you may want to check if the equipment you are about to buy is on the list.
The list includes energy-efficient products, such as heat pumps, commercial refrigeration equipment, boilers, air conditioners, packaged chillers, compressed air equipment and more. You can check the list right here.
Refrigeration Standard EN 378 Revision
This standard identifies safety and environmental requirements for air conditioning & refrigeration systems. The goal of this standard is to reduce environmental dangers posed by such systems and refrigerants.
The revision introduces the new 2L flammability class and new methods of refrigerant limit load calculations. It also describes the collaboration with the new international standard ISO 5149 regarding environmental requirements and exploitation safety of refrigeration systems. This standard is updated every 5 years. However, some revisions may be implemented more often.
The quality of commercial refrigeration equipment requires your close attention. Purchasing outdated systems that don’t comply with the new standards can turn out to be a costly mistake. At ACE Services, we offer the newest air conditioning & refrigeration systems, including the full range of Mitsubishi Electric hardware, which can help you avoid any legal problems. Call us to get a quote today.