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Reg 29 of the Environmental Protection (Controls on Ozone-Depleting Substances) Regs 2002 (Amended 2008) (commonly called the F Gas Regulations) requires all people to ensure that all HCFCs in refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment shall be removed by 1st January 2015.
There is evidence that HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) damage the ozone layer, hence the reasons for reducing and eventually removing them. But how do we know if we are using HCFCs? (Note that, at present, HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) are acceptable.)
The table below lists common refrigerants and what they are. Simply refer to markings on your equipment to determine which refrigerant is installed. This will be stated either on the equipment external label (typically with air conditioning equipment) or on a vessel within the equipment (typically with chillers). If this is not accessible, note the model and serial numbers and contact the supplier who should then be able to tell you what gas is used.
If the refrigerant is an HCFC, then arrange for it to be removed by a person competent to do this and replaced by an acceptable alternative before 1st January 2015. Note that it must be collected and disposed of correctly, not vented to atmosphere (which would negate the reason for doing this.)
Beware that replacements might have compatibility problems with seals and lubricants, and also may not be as efficient as the present refrigerant. You need to seek advice on this.
|
Refrigerant |
Composition |
Type |
|
R-11 |
R-11 |
CFC |
|
R-12 |
R-12 |
CFC |
|
R-13 |
R-13 |
CFC |
|
R-14 |
R-14 |
PFC |
|
R-22
|
R-22
|
HCFC |
|
R-23 |
R-23 |
HFC |
|
R-30 |
R-30 |
HCC |
|
R-32 |
R-32 |
HFC |
|
R-114 |
R-114 |
CFC |
|
R-115 |
R-115 |
CFC |
|
R-123 |
R-123
|
HCFC |
|
R-124 |
R-124
|
HCFC |
|
R-125 |
R-125 |
HFC |
|
R-143a |
R-125 |
HFC |
|
R-134a |
R-134a |
PFC |
|
R-141b
|
R-141b
|
HCFC |
|
R-142b
|
R-142b
|
HCFC |
|
R-143a |
R-143a |
HFC |
|
R-152a |
R-152a |
HFC |
|
R-290 (propane) |
R-290 (propane) |
|
|
R-401A, B or C |
R-22/152a/124 |
HCFC |
|
R-402A
or B |
R-125/290/22 |
HCFC |
|
R-403A |
R-290/22/218 |
HCFC |
|
R-404A |
R-125/143a/134a |
HFC |
|
R-405A |
R-22/152a/142b/C318 |
HCFC |
|
R-406A |
R-22/600a/142b |
HCFC |
|
R-407A, B, C, D
or E |
R-32/125/134a |
HFC |
|
R-408A |
R-125/143a/22 |
HCFC |
|
R-409A or B |
R-22/124/142b |
HCFC |
|
R-410A or B |
R-32/125 |
HFC |
|
R-411A
or B |
R-1270/22/152a |
HCFC |
|
R-412A |
R-22/218/142b |
HCFC |
|
R-413A |
R-218/134a/600a |
HFC |
|
R-414A
or B |
R-22/124/600a/142b |
HCFC |
|
R-415A |
R-22/152a |
HCFC |
|
R-416A |
R-134a/124/600 |
HFC |
|
R-417A |
R-125/134a/600 |
HFC |
|
R-500 |
R-12/152a |
HFC |
|
R-501 |
R-22/12 |
HCFC |
|
R-502 |
R-22/115 |
HCFC |
|
R-503 |
R-23/13 |
HCFC |
|
R-504 |
R-32/115 |
HFC |
|
R-505 |
R-12/31 |
HFC |
|
R-506 |
R-31/114 |
HFC |
|
R-507A |
R-125/143a |
HFC |
|
R-508A or B |
R-23/116 |
HFC |
|
R-600 |
R-600 (butane) |
|