Aimed at moving end users away from using harmful refrigerant gases, the regulation will cut, in stages, the quantity of HFCs that can be placed on the EU market.  By 2030, only 20% of the volume of HFCs that were sold in 2015 will be available, and this year it is anticipated that around 40% of supplies will be cut. This means that HFC refrigerant prices are likely to rise sharply as the market starts to feel the effect of supply shortages – some reports claim prices are already five times more expensive than they were at the start of the year.

Which gas?

At present, it is not illegal to continue using HFC gas, but it is against the law to knowingly top-up refrigerant equipment with the wrong gas. However, by January 2020, there will be a ban on using virgin HFCs to service any refrigeration equipment that uses a refrigerant with a GWP above 2,500. As a result, operators need to consider alternative service arrangements.

The best long-term solution is, of course, to convert systems to lower GWP alternatives or to swap out the equipment where financially viable. Where this is not currently viable, operators do have other options available.

Recover the gas

If capital investment is not feasible, a good short-term measure is to use recovered gas. This can be carried out until the 1st January 2030 if the gas has been reclaimed from the same type of system. Best practice must be used when recovering gases if they are to be used during routine maintenance after the ban.

Routine service

It is illegal to allow refrigerant equipment to leak gas, so continuing with routine servicing is critical. In particular, as long as the gas is ‘compliant’ the maintenance provider can still recharge – which means customers can use cheaper, recovered gas too, as long as it is available.

It has been a legal requirement since July 2009 for all businesses that install, maintain or service stationary equipment containing or designed to contain F-gas refrigerants to obtain an F-gas Company Certificate. 

As a result, customers should always ensure that their service provider is suitably qualified in both the selection and handling of gases, especially where an alternative gas is specified for refrigeration systems. Using the wrong type of refrigerant gas can pose significant safety and environmental risks, so suppliers should be vetted thoroughly to ensure compliance with the latest standards.

Retrofit

Suppliers can often retrofit the existing dryer with a lower GWP refrigerant. It does not usually require many modifications and energy-efficiency can often be improved at the same time.

BCAS represents the interests of the compressed air and vacuum industry to the UK government as well as to many European and other overseas institutions. As part of its ‘Insist on BCAS – Be Compliant and Safe’ scheme, the organisation champions the safe and efficient use of air across all industrial and commercial applications.  

This includes an independent review scheme that rates the service and support customers receive from suppliers, as well as regularly advising our own members on the safe application of compressed air and vacuum technologies.