R22 gases are used widely in refrigeration and heating systems. The systems that utilise R22 gases are found in domestic, commercial and industrial environments. One of the major defects of using R22 gases is that once they leak, hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs) are released into the atmosphere. These carbon compounds are known to speed up the depletion of the ozone layer.

The ozone layer is important for the survival of life on planet Earth. The ozone protects the world from the harmful UV radiation released by the sun. UV radiation is known to cause a lot of problems in the eco-system while also accelerating global warming. Due to the wide ranging environmental problems caused by R22 gases, their phase out is being implemented by the government of UK.

New generation refrigerants which do not cause ozone layer depletion have been found and the R22 gas based refrigerants are being phased out. The conversion process has already started and a lot of organizations, which utilise R22 gases in their refrigeration systems, are being asked to replace them at the earliest. The phase-out of R22 gases however, is also a very tedious task due to their considerable penetration into everyone’s lives. It is then important to spread awareness about their harmful nature as soon as possible.

A technical problem in an air conditioner is a common occurrence considering the persistent use of the device. Several repairs are carried out because of the conditioner’s inability to perform smoothly. Certain technical snags also arise due to damage caused to the internal components.

Compressors, air handling units and the duct system are some of the components that are most prone to defects. Such equipment may need to be replaced when it begins to malfunction.

If the air conditioner fails to switch on, check the controls and the switches, since several problems are related to the electrical repairs. You will also need to check the thermostat. The thermostat adjusts the temperature of the device depending upon the surrounding temperature.

The next step involves the inspection of the air handling unit that consists of the air plenum, air filter, blower fan and the heating coil. You will also need to examine the circuit breakers for the compressors along with the circuit breaker of the air handling unit.

The air conditioning unit might still fail to function, in spite of the above measures.

You will then need to check the duct system. The air ducts perform the function of supplying air to the different rooms in the entire building. The air ducts might be clogged due to the presence of built-up waste particles.

Sometimes the device might turn on, yet fail to provide the required cooling effect. Users should inspect the blower unit during this particular problem. Clean the blower unit with a brush on a regular basis. Reduced cooling might also occur due to faulty air compressors, if this is the case, you may need to replace the compressors.

Global warming is one of the major issues that are affecting people all around the globe. This is the reason why individuals prefer to stay indoors when possible during a heat wave, rather than venturing in the hot outdoors.

The cool comfort of air conditioners is required for enhanced relief to the consumers. Air conditioners are available in different models and sizes.

Window air conditioners are some of the commonly used air cooling methods. As the name suggests the unit is mounted on the window. However, this unit can usually only cool a single room. You can select split air conditioners, if you want to cool more than one room. Select portable air conditioners, which can be moved around the home, if you want to cool certain rooms individually, as needed. On the other hand, central air-conditioners can be used to cool the entire building given sufficient ventilation.

Portable air conditioning systems are used for a greater degree of mobility to the consumers. Such devices are provided with wheels that can be used to roll the device to another room. Central air conditioning units are used in commercial establishments like offices, shops and warehouses. However, it is advisable to avoid the use of Freon and CFCs as these refrigerants further contribute to the global warming scenario. It is advisable to seek the help of an expert in the installation process.

Air conditioning maintenance plays a key role in enhancing the life-span of the device. Users tend to ignore this particular aspect. However, the ignorance ultimately affects the functioning of the device. An air duct forms an intrinsic part of an air conditioner unit. A lack of proper duct maintenance can also affect your health.

Why clean air ducts?

The tubes or air ducts tend to get blocked due to the accumulation of dust and dirt particles over time. The particles are then circulated throughout the home, when the device is switched on. Users eventually inhale such contaminated air. Allergies and asthma-related incidents generally arise due to such dust-filled ducts. The occurrence of back mould is also a serious problem. This is the reason why homeowners should obtain the help of professionals to get rid of such dust particles regularly.

Duct cleaning equipment

Ducts are usually quite small in size. This is why consumers should select a duct cleaning company that possesses the proper equipment. The professionals will use the following tools:

Air compressor and air hose - An air compressor is an essential tool for the cleaning process. The compressor will extricate the dust particles along with the mould. The professionals also use an air hose to clean the debris. They will attach several attachments to the air hose as required, to dislodge the debris.

Brush and vacuum - A brush is used to clean the sides of the air duct. The expert will clean the ducts and mould with the brush. They will also use a vacuum along with the brush to suck out the residue.
Select professionals with the required expertise to put an end to clogged ducts.

If you have an air conditioning unit in your home or office then you need to understand how important it is to maintain it and keep it in an optimal running condition. Sometimes, when we neglect the maintenance process and if the weather gets too muggy or too hot, that is the time we feel the heat most. Walking into a cool office or home is much better than a stuffy, humid room.

Once you know what is required in air conditioning maintenance, the process can be quite easy. Any good air conditioning engineer that comes to install the unit at your place will happily tell you about the common air conditioning problems to look out for. Air conditioning maintenance generally involves cleaning or, if required, replacing the air filters and checking thoroughly for any leakages in the pipes.

While air conditioning maintenance can be performed on your own, it is always better to opt for professional air conditioning maintenance, especially if you are new to handling such equipment. Routine maintenance every three to six months will not only help to ensure proper functioning of the unit, but also help to increase the longevity of the unit. A majority of people forget to perform the routine maintenance of the unit and this is when the unit generally tends to break down.

No matter who performs the air conditioning maintenance, it is specially designed to make sure that your unit is reliable, consumes the minimum energy and runs efficiently.

Many people are used to the comforts offered by air conditioning units. Living a single day without the comfort of air conditioning unit can be quite difficult in certain places. While many people use air conditioning units, not many are aware that they work on refrigerants that may be dangerous to our environment. CFCs are the most commonly used refrigerants in air conditioning units. These refrigerants are made from chlorine compounds and thus they prove to be quite dangerous to the atmosphere.

Our environment is protected by the ozone layer, which acts like a filter to keep away the harmful ultraviolet rays that are emitted from the sun. Studies have shown that air conditioning units, which cool in summer and produce heat during winter, can create an impact on the ozone layer. While cooling or producing heat some of these air conditioning units emit dangerous gases such as CFCs into the atmosphere.

The emissions of chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs into the atmosphere can have a great detrimental impact on the ozone layer and eventually contributes to global warming. Due to this reason, most countries have decided to ban the production, and eventually the use, of CFCs and replace them with non-dangerous alternative refrigerants.

This move is intended to phase out the R-22 gases that are widely used in most air conditioning units and HVAC systems. So, if you own an air conditioning unit in your home or office that works on R-22 refrigerant, you must ensure that you replace it with non-ozone depleting refrigerants such as R-410A.

R22 replacement or phase out means the removal of all old refrigeration and air conditioning units which run on R22 refrigerant. With the advancements in technology, old air conditioning units which use R22 refrigerants will be removed, as they have a direct impact on CO2 emissions. Therefore, the Government wants to replace and remove air conditioners using R22 by 2015.

R22 phase out for businesses or companies

The R22 phase out will directly affect companies which use R22 refrigeration in their air conditioning units. You may think that 2015 is still a long way off, but there are many air conditioners in UK which were fitted before 2001. So, all of them need to be replaced with zero ODP refrigerants. The replacement of refrigerants will have an impact on the businesses which need to change their air conditioning units, especially those who rely too much on R22 refrigerants.
With these changes, each new factory build or extension will have to use ammonia and R404A refrigerants with zero ozone depleting potential.
The new refrigerants are better for the planet and for you, as they are proven to be more energy efficient than the R22 refrigerants. So, it is a cost-effective choice for all the companies who switch too. There is also a scheme which allows 100% first year tax allowances for companies which are spending certain amounts on new technologies.

The Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme provides funds for air conditioning systems. This scheme incorporates the collection of funds for the servicing, manufacturing and designing of air conditioning tools.

The ECA scheme is a vital element of the UK government’s plans to supervise climate changes. This scheme persuades business organisations to invest in energy saving equipment. The ECA scheme was introduced by the government in 2001 to reward businesses using energy saving equipment.

Funding for greener air conditioning systems encourages energy saving as new systems are cost-effective and energy-efficient. The ECA scheme offers incentives on taxes to businesses investing in energy saving equipments.

Detailed energy saving criteria is posited for every technological area by the Energy Technology List (ETL). The list includes products in every category which meet minimum conditions concerning energy preservation. The Carbon Trust manages this list.

The Enhanced Capital Allowance is granted not only to the cost of equipment installation, but also to the cost related to the service of such technology. Capital allowances for air condition funding allows companies to write off the cost of acquiring equipment. The ECA is a tax incentive and is only available to companies that pay income tax. Those who are not liable for tax are not able to claim air conditioning funding.

The process of phasing out R22 refrigerant (HCFC) began this year, when certain steps were taken to outlaw plants fitted with R22 and other ozone depleting refrigerants. The eventual aim is a complete ban on the recharging of refrigerant 22.

On 31st December 2009, there will be a ban on the usage of virgin R22, and from 2015 the use of recycled R22 will be banned.

Some facts about R22 refrigerant

• There is no need to change your R22 refrigerant based air conditioner before 2010. R22 refrigerant has not been used in many plants in applications from the last eight years.

• If you are using your R22 refrigerant based air conditioning unit after 2010, then you will be in breach of regulations. This is valid only if your contractors are using banned refrigerants after the date of effect. You must upgrade your service contract as there are number of checks which will be enforced by the F-Gas regulations.

• You can change the refrigerant to a non-affected one, but it may cause damage to the components of your air conditioner. Moreover, the life of the device will be reduced and could even suffer instant plant failure. It is advised that you change the device rather than just the refrigerant.

All those operating R22 systems should now look towards replacement equipment as soon as possible.

The ban on using ozone depleting substances was determined by a globally agreed plan by industrialised nations. The legislation has been strict on phasing out the use of chemically hazardous substances.

In many cases, refrigerants such as HCFC and CFCs will reduce to waste. This waste requires proper dumping by licensed contractors. The owner of the system containing this refrigerant has a duty of care towards this process.

Plan for CFC Phase-Out

• Properly examine the characteristics of the refrigerant.
• Familiarise yourself with the phase out. Conserve stocks for the following year by converting the available machinery to non-CFC refrigerant. A system with a life of 5 years might not find the conversion process cost-effective.
• Purchase new CFC-free equipment. Get an evaluation done before the purchase.
• If buildings can be ventilated easily then operating without air conditioning is a suitable option for you.

With regard to customers buying systems containing the hazardous chemical, avoid this purchase and update prior to the phase out. Don’t be tempted by lower priced systems that will be illegal by the start of 2010. Gather adequate information on eco-friendly air conditioning that does not utilise ozone depleting chemicals.

If you are already using an old manufactured system and it requires repair, you may find it more cost-effective to replace it with an eco-friendly system and avoid the cost of parts and repair for your out-dated one.