R22 refrigerant | AACR Blog

R22 phase-out deadline is now fast approaching

As from the start of 2015, the maintenance or repair of any air conditioning system using R22 refrigerant gas will become illegal as part of legislation outlined in the EC Ozone Regulations. The imminent ban on this chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gas thus poses a very real threat to companies whose cooling equipment still uses ozone-depleting R22.

Despite service activities on this equipment being outlawed as from the new year, R22 remains one of the most common refrigerants in the UK, widely used in older chillers and air conditioning. Businesses will therefore be compelled to source more environmentally-friendly alternatives. Numerous companies are likely to be affected by the change, many of which are currently unaware of the implications. read more

Informed Advice About Inflammable Refrigerants

The R22 ‘Swap Out’ deadline is approaching, but some alternatives being considered may not be the most responsible choice. Propane based refrigerants are appearing, however “The use of these substances poses a potential fire or explosion hazard for owners and service technicians,” according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (equivalent to UK’s DEFRA) warning that most air conditioning systems aren’t designed for propane or similar flammable refrigerants and the EPA is currently investigating instances where propane has been a substitute for R22. The “EPA is aware of incidents…. where injuries have occurred as a result of the use of propane or other unapproved refrigerants…” read more

Lights, Camera, Aircon!

Andrews Air Conditioning Services – keeping film production rolling

In the high pressure world of film and TV production, it’s all about keeping your cool and delivering a quality product to a tight deadline. Production, recording and editing suites are high cost facilities which are in constant demand, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They generate considerable quantities of heat and, because of the need to avoid contamination or noise intrusion, reliable air conditioning is essential.

Expensive, sensitive, and high maintenance – not the just actors but the equipment too

That’s why Bristol-based Films@59, the UK’s leading post production and specialist camera provider, relies on Andrews Air Conditioning Services to ensure their essential people and sensitive equipment don’t break into a sweat. With over 70 air conditioning systems across their two Bristol sites, Films@59 are a major client of Andrews Air Conditioning for a range of services including Planned Preventative Maintenance, Emergency Breakdown Repair and their on-going R22 System Replacement programme. read more

Q & A: What is R22?

R22 is the name of a commonly used CFC refrigerant which has been banned in new air conditioning systems in UK & Europe since 2002 because of its ozone-depleting properties. Therefore although many are still in use, these ageing systems will, by law, become unserviceable at the end of 2014. At that point it will be illegal to repair them in the event of any failure. Spare parts and recycled R22 are already in short supply and increasingly expensive so, even now, it is often uneconomical to attempt a repair. Furthermore, modern replacement systems use environmentally responsible refrigerants and are up to 60% more energy efficient than R22 systems, meaning that they often pay back their replacement costs in energy savings alone within 3 or 4 years. read more

Is Your Air Conditioning an Environmental Risk?

If your air conditioning is over 10 years old it probably uses R22 refrigerant, an ozone-depleting CFC which must be phased out by law.

Andrews Air Conditioning is at the forefront of efforts to help owners, operators and users of air conditioning systems understand their legal obligations. The good news is that modern, replacement air conditioning not only uses ozone-friendly refrigerants but is also highly energy efficient and cost effective.

If you’re not sure whether you have R22 inside your air conditioning, don’t get hot and bothered, just visit www.airconditioningservices.com/r22-replacement/ to download the brand new R22 Replacement App, or call 0800 731 8833 for a free R22 survey. read more

Michelin Replaces Tired Air Conditioning

As part of a major investment in their Dundee tyre manufacturing facility, Michelin Tyre plc contacted Andrews Air Conditioning Services to decommission and remove an aged packaged system. The existing installation, supplying critical cooling to the site’s IT suite, no longer met the stringent performance specification required by Michelin UK. It was found to contain the ozone-depleting R22 refrigerant which is being rapidly phased out.

Andrews Air Conditioning Services removed the obsolete units and replaced them with two Toshiba under-ceiling systems, featuring an auto restart function to ensure rapid restoration of air conditioning following a power failure. The sophisticated systems also interface with the building’s fire panel, ensuring the systems shut down immediately in the event of a fire alarm. New production equipment is being installed at the Dundee plant which will enable it to manufacture the latest generation of car tyres. read more

R22 Scrappage Scheme

We are all familiar with scrappage schemes for old cars and boilers. But here’s something new – The Andrews Air Conditioning Scrappage Scheme.

Any air conditioning over 10 years old probably uses R22 refrigerant, an ozone-depleting CFC which is now banned. By law R22 systems will become unserviceable at the end of 2014 – spare parts are already in short supply and increasingly expensive.

The Andrews Air Conditioning Scrappage Scheme gives you a massive £150 scrappage allowance towards your new air conditioning for every R22 system we replace* when you take out a Planned Maintenance Contract with us. And all our new air conditioning is ozone-friendly, highly energy-efficient and comes with up to 5 years warranty. read more

New R22 Replacement App Launched

Any air conditioning over 10 years old probably uses R22 refrigerant, an ozone-depleting CFC which is now banned by law. R22 systems will become unserviceable at the end of 2014 but spare parts are already in short supply and increasingly expensive. These ageing systems will also use around twice the energy and be far more likely to break down than modern replacements.

That’s why Andrews Air Conditioning has launched its brand new R22 Replacement App. Let us show you how to comply with stringent R22 refrigerant legislation, save on energy costs and protect the environment by reducing your CO2 output. read more