Laws on R22 coolant won’t affect portable air conditioners as stocks run low
Phase out dates for HCFC R22 coolant were set according to EU regulations in 2002. Although the coolant has only a moderate Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Level Depletion Potential (ODP), the EU, set on a strict course of environmentalism, has set down laws to replace it with those that have zero Ozone Level Depletion Potential. The UK is replacing R22 with R417A, which is also up to 50% more energy efficient than the older coolant. Yet these stringent regulations should not cause major concern for people who own a portable air conditioner. Unlike car air conditioners, portable air conditioners don’t have to have their coolant refilled. The only time when more coolant would be necessary is if the air conditioner leaks or needs a major repair.
The Regulations
2002 – Refrigerators, air conditioners and other equipment using R22 should no longer be manufactured by law.
2010 – Only recycled (no virgin) R22 can be used in systems.
2015 – The phase out should be complete; no-one can buy or sell R22.
Bad news for those who own other older refrigeration devices is that recycled stocks of the coolant, which can still be used until 2015, are already running low. A British Refrigeration Association (BRA) survey revealed that, as things stand, the supply of recycled R22 only meets ten percent of the demand, which will create a severe shortage in 2010 when the new law kicks in.
The BRA survey revealed that most stocks are already in the hands of large companies. More worrying for environmentalists is that, according to the data, the quantity of virgin R22 refrigerant bought last year was the same as previous years despite the introduction of the more environmentally friendly replacement, R417A. There was no increase in the amount of recycled R22 produced, indicating that Britain will be less than prepared for the complete phase out in 2015.
http://www.acr-news.com/news/news.asp?id=1477&title=New+survey+echoes+R22+concerns
