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A great number of installations still run on R22 despite its obligatory gradual phase-out. System suppliers see their chance and have started country-wide information and promotion campaigns in order to inform the old system holders and convince them to speed up the replacement. The chance for natural refrigerants to raise their head and claim their share of the market.

In Europe alone, an estimated 1 million air-conditioning and 40,000 variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems still use R22. In the UK, 65% of all current equipment still uses R22, according to an industry survey. However, this year's sales ban on virgin R22, could lead to a refrigerant supply shortage translating in case of system failure into extended downtimes and increased costs for repair. On the other hand, the replacement of R22 equipment, especially in split systems or smaller plants, can be both cost effective and provide more energy efficient equipment.

System suppliers see the enormous market potential and target whole sales, retailers and installers in the HVACR sector with large information campaigns on available replacement technologies, coming up with innovative marketing strategies. Mitsubishi Electronics, for example, promotes system replacements without necessary pipework modifications and lures customers with marketing gags such as a lottery looking for the oldest VRF system in Germany. The prices in the lottery include three new VRF air-conditioning systems at the technological state-of-the-art as well as some other products of the manufacturer and will be distributed amongst the holders of the oldest systems.

Natural refrigerant companies - Act now!

Seeing this rush forward by the big players in the field, companies working with natural refrigerants and offering alternative systems running on hydrocarbons for example, better move fast.

1 million split systems and approximatively 40,000 VRF systems are up for replacement in Europe. The replacement is partly necessitated by the imposed phase-out of R22, but also by their the systems' old age and the resulting high maintenance and operation costs.

In Germany, the replacement of old systems is specifically subsidised in the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control's (BAFA) development programme. This programme supports the upgrade or replacement of commercial cooling and air-conditioning systems of up to 150,000 kWh yearly energy consumption when the energy saving potential is at least 35%. Subsidies reach in case of natural refrigerant technologies up to 25%.

So why leave the field to those who want to replace HCFC systems with HFCs? Better gear up and show people that more sustainable alternatives are ready to be deployed.

Background

In 2000 the EU passed a directive EU 2037/2000 to phase out the production and use of HCFC gasses which are harmful to the ozone layer. Since 2004 it has been illegal to supply and install air conditioning equipment which uses ozone depleting refrigerant, such as R22. As from the 31st of December 2009 it is now illegal to buy virgin R22 or use it for any purpose. While it is still possible for reclaimed R22 to be purchased following re-processing, the sale of reclaimed R22 is currently scheduled to be banned from the 31st of December 2014, although this date could be brought forward following a review.