Taking care of your working environment
AFM Refrigerant Gas Ban Forces Local Air-Con overhaul
R-22 is a commonly used refrigerant gas in air conditioning systems installed in buildings between 1960 and 2004. It has been found to be damaging to the Ozone layer and the EU has been phasing it out since 2000. As of Jan 2010 and until 2015 EU law allows only recycled R22 and other chemicals to be permitted for use. It is predicted that maintenance costs and system faults will increase sharply as chemicals and spare parts for old systems will be difficult to source. All air conditioning manufacturers in Europe, ceased manufacturing R22 systems in 2003. There’s a real incentive to tackle this, as R22 based air conditioning will make what should be a desirable building into something of a liability when you come to sell or rent.
When should a company consider replacement?
As R22 air conditioning equipment and refrigerant production has already ceased. Reliable leak free R22 equipment need not necessarily be replaced immediately as even when new R22 refrigerant is no longer available, reprocessed R22 can be used until 2015. However, there are a number of potential problems with waiting until the last minute to replace.
What should be considered when thinking about replacement?
There are pressures of changing an R22 refrigeration system upon a company that relies upon the refrigerator for its daily running. The key to a smooth transition lies with the project management of the removal of the R22 refrigerant and professional installation of a replacement system.
More efficient systems which use refrigerants that have a zero ozone depleting potential are avialble to evaluate, the cost of R22 may increase over the next several years based on supply, by planning replacement there is less company down time, there are tax benefits for investment in more efficient equipment a company will be able to take advantage of and lastly it is possible through Daikin to have an end of life recycling service if you replace your existing equipment with a Daikin System.
AFM Successfully Have Project Managed a Number of Local Companies through the R22 Transition
EFG
AT EFG Private Bank Ltd we are committed to meeting our ecological obligations to reduce our carbon footprint as well as providing a healthy and safe working environment for our staff. The replacement of our old air conditioning units with the new Daikin system was an opportunity to be ahead of the game in anticipation of the changes to international legislation on CFCs.
The work AFM concluded for EFG Private Bank was completed without any disruption to the business; no office closures, no staff needed moving, no downtime, it was all done in a swift, professional fashion and we were delighted with the results….Kenneth Rondel EFG Bank
Collins Stewart Wealth Management, Guernsey
‘As a firm we are increasingly conscious of our impact on the environment and focused on the most cost effective and sustainable working practices. The new system has lower CO2 emissions, zero ozone depletion potential and higher energy efficiency. For these reasons alone this was a timely investment for Collins Stewart Wealth Management.
The AFM team recommended this solution which has been installed efficiently and with the minimum of disruption with most of the work taking place on the exterior of our building’ …Charlie Roger, Head of Collins Stewart Wealth Management in Guernsey
