What is the impact on the maintenance of existing equipment for commercial and non-commercial use?
From 1st January 2020, it is prohibited to use HFCs with a GWP ≥ to 2500 for the service and maintenance of stationary refrigeration equipment with a charge size ≥ to 40 T. eq. CO2 (eg 10.2 kg of R-404A, 10.0 kg of R-507A, 14.6 kg of R-422D). There are also exemptions for military equipment and equipment operating below -50°C.
The use of reclaimed or recycled HFCs are also allowed. In the case of recycled product only the user can reuse it.
What is the impact on new equipment?
From 1st January 2020, there is a ban on the sale of all stationary refrigeration equipment containing HFCs with a GWP ≥ 2500, unless it is for military use or where the system operates below -50C.
For commercial applications there are further new equipment bans that will follow;
– Hermetically sealed equipment :
From 1st January 2022, ban on new commercial refrigerators and freezers with a GWP ≥ 150.
– Equipment not hermetically sealed with more than one compressor per circuit and 40kW or over.
From 1st January 2022, ban on the placing on the market of multi-user centralised refrigeration systems for commercial use containing HFCs, with GWP ≥ 150. With the exception of cascade systems with indirect primary circuit: where the primary refrigeration circuits are allowed to contain HFCs with GWP < 1500.
Further details of all equipment bans and available alternative refrigerants by application can be found on Climalife’s popular F-Gas Solutions App.