The use of air conditioning units has increased all through the world due to various reasons. Some places have humid and warm climates throughout the year. With the help of air conditioning units, one can maintain a cool and comfortable temperature in their room. Also, there are some places that have hot weather at times during the year. Having an air conditioning unit at such places ensures a comfortable living during hot summer months.

All air conditioning units work on refrigerants. The refrigerants absorb the heat from the surrounding and convert it into cool air. The air conditioning units are commonly used in offices, warehouses and industrial places where it helps to keep the electrical units from breaking down and overheating. Regardless of the reason, these units have become a vital part of our lives, and one cannot just imagine living without them.

Although air conditioning units are superb at the job that they do, some can still have a negative impact on our environment. Most air conditioning units use R-22 refrigerants. However, these refrigerants are known to cause ozone depletion. Today, everyone knows the importance of ozone layer. It greatly helps to protect the life on earth’s surface. It actually acts as a filter to keep away the harmful ultra violet rays from reaching the surface of the earth. R-410A is a newer refrigerant that does not cause the depletion of the ozone layer, thus making it eco-friendly. So, if you own an air conditioning unit, make sure that it works on an eco friendly refrigerant.

Here is a checklist to help you make sure you are complying with all of the new regulations that govern air conditioning and HVAC systems:

1) The first and foremost is the prevention of any leakages. You have to ensure that you are taking any feasible precautions to prevent the leakage of HFC refrigerants, and that you will repair any leakage as soon as possible.

2) You need to get your air conditioning unit checked on a regular basis for leakages by a certified professional. The frequency of testing depends on the refrigerant charge. Units of over 12 kilowatts must be inspected by January 2011 and those over 250 kilowatts must have already been inspected. Each of these must have regular inspections every five years.

3) If your air conditioning system has been repaired for a leak recently you need to have it re-checked in the month after it was repaired. This is to ensure that the repair is effective and your unit is working efficiently again. If your equipment’s effective output is above 300 kg, it should be fitted with an automatic detection system for leakage.

Air conditioning units are used by many people in their homes and offices. Air conditioning units help to maintain a cool and comfortable indoor environment. If you own an air conditioning unit in your home or office that runs for hours at a time, you need to get it serviced from time to time.

Routine air conditioning maintenance ensures smooth functioning of the unit. It also helps to maintain its longevity and increase its efficiency. Regular maintenance of air conditioning units also reduces the energy consumption, which can save large amounts money over time.

When servicing your air-conditioning units, you should make sure to clean the air filters. The air filters will attract a lot of dust particles and dirt. If this dirt and dust is not cleaned, it will not only pollute the internal air, but also make the unit less efficient. If you look at an air filter which hasn’t been changed or cleaned for months, you will be able to see the grey-brown dust all over it. Moreover, the frame may also be misshapen as it will begin detaching itself from the housing surface as the filter starts to collapse.

As air-conditioning units are wet and cold, some dirt and dust participles will also get stuck to the evaporator. If these particles are filtered into the air, and you are breathing in that air for a period of time, you are likely to become ill. So, in order to make sure that the air circulated in your office or house is clean and healthy, you should routinely maintain all of your air conditioning units.

While many people today use air conditioning units in their home or office, few know about the environmental hazards they can cause. Refrigerants are vital components of air conditioning units as they absorb the heat from a room and convert the hot air into cool air.

R22 refrigerants have been used in air conditioning units and refrigerators for more than four decades. Even today, the majority of air conditioning units run on R22. It was recently discovered, however, that R22 refrigerants severely damage our environment as it is made from chlorine compounds. When these refrigerants are emitted into the atmosphere, they quickly react with the ozone layer and convert it into oxygen. This thins the ozone layer, affecting its efficiency.

The ozone layer is extremely important for the stability of our planet because it acts as a shield, deflecting most of the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. If too many UV rays enter our atmosphere, there will be a rise in conditions like severe skin burns, cataracts, skin cancer, and retina deterioration. So, in order to save our environment, and ourselves, from the possible damages, R410A refrigerant was introduced to replace the use of traditional R22.

R410A is extremely efficient compared to R22. New air conditioning units come with R410A refrigerant, but older air conditioning systems will need some changes in the compressor to incorporate R410A. The UK government is currently offering a financial incentive to companies changing from R22 to R410A refrigerants to help lower industrial greenhouse gas emissions. So, if you use an air conditioning unit in your home or office, make sure it runs on an environment friendly refrigerant to save our environment.

The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme, which provides funding for air conditioning systems, has been updated and improved. Manufacturing and servicing air conditioning equipment, and the funding for designs are now included in this. It also includes commercial air conditioning funding and domestic air conditioning funding.

The ECA scheme is an important part of the UK Government’s programme. It was developed to encourage businesses to spend on energy saving equipment. In 2001, the ECA scheme was introduced by the government to reward businesses that already spent on energy saving equipment, as well as encourage new businesses to do the same.

Businesses that invest in energy saving equipment are provided with a tax incentive by the ECA scheme. The Energy Technology List (ETL) gives details about the requirements for all types of technology and lists those points in every group that meet those requirements. ETL is supervised by the Carbon Trust and has two parts: Energy Technology Product List (ETPL) and Energy Technology Criteria List (ETCL). Each product listed under ETPL must meet the energy saving requirements published in the ETCL. The ECA is awarded in relation to the cost of the equipment being installed as well as the installation costs.

Greener air conditioning systems are cost effective, energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The government are hoping that the ECA scheme offers an incentive for companies and businesses to invest in greener air conditioning systems, and so lower their contribution to global warming and greenhouse gas pollution.

With the beginning of the New Year most R22 operated air conditioning systems have been phased out. Listed below is a brief comparison between R22 and R410A systems. Those who want to consider the use of R22 despite its phasing out should read and keep this comparison in mind.

• R22 is a greenhouse gas. It is known as chlorodifluoromethane. Its production gives rise to HFC-23 which is a contributor to global warming. From January 2010, manufacturers of air conditioners and HVAC systems are no longer permitted to make systems that use R22.

• R410A is a combination of two gases. It is an azeotropic mixture of difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane. It does not have any depleting effects on the ozone layer but it still contributes to global warming.

• R410A is a substance that has very low ozone depletion potential.

• R22 has considerably high ozone depletion potential and so needed to be gradually phased out of use.

• R22 has high global warming potential. It is more damaging to the ozone layer than carbon dioxide.

• The use of R22 will be completely banned by the end of 2014. Recycled stocks of R22 are still permitted until that point.

• R410A systems are now the preferred choice for most businesses using HVAC systems and air-conditioning units.

Hopefully, this will give you a better idea of the differences between R410A and R22.

If you have been reading the papers recently, you will be aware of the environmental damage humans inflict on the earth on a daily basis. Scientists and researchers all over the world believe harmful chemicals mixing with the environment are the main causes for this.

R 22 - One of the main culprits

There are many substances that have lead to environmental damage. But of these, R-22 has had the most effect on the ozone layer. A HCFC, this air conditioning refrigerant causes the earth’s protective envelope to deplete should the chemical be leaked into the atmosphere. When this happens, hydrochlorofluorocarbons are released into the air and the chlorine from this compound causes damage to the ozone layer. Due to the seriousness of this issue, R-22 is now being phased out.

Dealing with the phase out of R-22

R-22 is the most commonly used refrigerant in air conditioning units all around the world. This includes air conditioners, refrigerators and other kinds of heating and cooling equipment. So to abide by government regulations, it is necessary for facilities to replace these R-22 systems with environmentally approved ones.

Conforming to these regulations can require individuals to upgrade existing cooling and heating systems or even install new equipment. Fortunately, the government has given those who use R-22 an ample amount of time to get rid of their R-22 air conditioning units and install eco-friendly systems.

If you thought that your home energy bills were high, you may like to take a look at the energy bills from large companies. Of course, they need to use a lot of energy. But sometimes this energy is wasted. The rapid depletion of natural resources is proving to be detrimental to the Earth. For this reason governments all over the world have launched many new ways for companies to reduce energy consumption.

Introducing the Energy Technology List

Companies in many countries are now being introduced to the Energy Technology List as it offers details on energy saving products and technologies. These products and technologies can help save a lot of energy and operational costs in the long term. This will not only help businesses save money, but it can also do a lot of good to the environment as a whole.

Different technologies included in the ETL

Everyone knows that companies require many different kinds of systems to carry out daily business. Most of these systems result in high energy consumption, which eventually leads to environment damaging effects. The Energy Technology List targets these different systems to reduce energy consumption. The groups include radiant and warm air heaters, compressed air equipment, lighting, combined power and heat, solar thermal systems and heat pumps for space heating.

Pipe insulation, thermal screens, boilers and their add ons are also on the list of products and technologies that can help save energy. In fact, governments are constantly introducing products and ways to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions in the environment as well. Air conditioning forms a major part of the world’s energy consumption. So companies can now use environmentally friendly air conditioners to help conserve energy.

Most older air conditioners use the R22 refrigerant for cooling. “R” stands for refrigerant and the figure denotes the number of the fluorine atoms in the compound. The boiling point of this refrigerant is -40.8 degrees Celsius and this is one of the main reasons why it is used in most applications. R22 is used for liquefaction of gases like chlorine in various machines and chillers.

You will find R22 in all types of air conditioners such as window air conditioners, packaged air conditioners and also central air conditioners.

Although R22 is popularly used, this refrigerant is being phased out. Why is the R22 phase out necessary? One of the main reasons for the phase out is that the chemical constituents of R22 directly affect the ozone layer. Unfortunately R22 add to the problem of global warming. After the phase out, production of R22 will be stopped. For cooling appliances like air conditioning units, new refrigerants have now been introduced.

The alternatives to R22

Most manufacturers all over the world are opting for alternatives to R22. These new substitutes are not harmful to the environment which makes them a much better option. Some of the alternatives to R22 which can be easily used in most of the appliances are R-134A, R-507, R-410A and R-407C.

R22 is a refrigerant which is commonly used in most of the air conditioning units. R22 is a halocarbon compound which has a chemical formula CHCIF2 which means that it is a HCFC. At present, most countries the world over have banned the manufacture of R22. This is because R22 has the potential to cause ozone layer depletion. In addition to this, R22 also contributes to global warming.

How does ozone layer depletion affect us all?

Once the upper layers of the ozone are depleted then the UV rays generated by the sun can easily reach the surface of the Earth. This can lead to a rise in temperatures on the Earth and the rays are also harmful to human skin. To prevent humans from the affects of R22 and other HCFCs, it has been decided to stop the production and use of R22. This is known as R22 phase out.

R22 phase out is divided into two timelines

January 1, 2010 – After this date, there was a complete ban on the import or production of R22 for any appliances.

January 1, 2015 – By this date, there must be a stop in the sales and use of R22. This means that even usage for servicing of units will be banned or stopped.

One substitute for for R22 is R410A which is not harmful to the ozone layer and hence the environment.