Regulations and Information
F-GAS - EUROPEAN 'F' GAS REGULATIONS
Who does it apply to? This information describes the requirements for owners and operators of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems. The information is taken directly from Regulation (EC) 842/2006 (F-Gas) and is a brief overview of the articles within it relevant to the above equipment which us F-Gas refrigerants.
When did it come into force? 4th July 2007
Most of the key F-gas obligations lie with the operator. An operator is a person or business who has actual power over the technical functioning of the equipment. This includes: free access to the system, eg supervising its components or functioning control over the day-to-day running or function powers, including financial, to decide on technical modifications, F-gas quantity modifications or have repairs carried out. The owner of the equipment is usually the operator.
What is the regulation intended to control? This particular legislation is aimed at the release of global warming gasses used in refrigeration and air conditioning by containment through regular leak checking (Also known as F-Gasses for completeness and listed in the regulation). Companies should have a system in place to carry out these checks and to monitor refrigerant usage. Ideally fixed leak detection equipment used for early detection.
How often do these checks need to be done in order to comply? Only certified personnel can carry out these checks. The frequency is determined by the refrigerant charge in the system and also whether fixed leak detection has been installed. Please note that any leaks detected must be repaired and then checked within a month to ensure the repair was effective with all maintenance carried out recorded.
Does anything else have to be done to meet the requirements of this regulation?
1. Operators have to keep records of the quantity and type of refrigerant that is;
- Installed
- Added and recovered during service and maintenance
- Recovered during final disposal.
2. The above information must be readily accessible for inspection by the relevant authority including the details of who is responsible for service and maintenance and dates of any leaks and checks of equipment containing F-Gas.
3. Proper recovery and disposal of gas must be undertaken. This has to be carried out be certified personnel to ensure recycling, reclamation or destruction of any cooling circuits.
4. When a refillable/non-refillable container is ready to be disposed of the person who last used it is responsible and must follow the appropriate procedure.
5. An operator must ensure that any purchased refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump systems are clearly labelled as containing fluorinated gasses as well as the quantity using the industry categorisation.
What will the consequences be if these regulations are not complied with? The regulation states that these 'shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive'. It is therefore recommended that steps are taken as early as possible to comply with the legislation to avoid any such penalties being enforced at a later date. For a full copy of the F-Gas regulation visit here.
ENHANCED CAPITAL ALLOWANCE (ECA)
In 2001 this scheme was introduced by the government. ECA enabled business that invest in energy saving equipment on the carbon trust list to offset 100% of their capital expenditure against taxable profits in the same financial year the investment is made. For more information on this, please click here.
R22 Refrigerant Phased Out
Be ready for the ban on your existing R22 air conditioning. R22 refrigerant will be banned in 1st January 2015. We offer a free consultation/site survey for R22 air conditioning replacement.
R22 and Energy Efficiency
In the UK today its estimated that over 60% of the air conditioning systems currently in operation are running on R22 refrigerant. Many of these systems are running normally, however the vast majority of these systems use up to and in excess of 40% more energy than a new system.
Planning for replacement
We will work with you to develop a cost effective and common sense plan to replace your old R22 systems, taking into account the age, condition and importance of individual systems to your business.
Domestic Installations - Reduced VAT
Reduced-rated and zero-rated installations – 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027
From 1 April 2022 until 31 March 2027 a zero rate applies to the installation of certain specified energy-saving materials (read paragraph 2.10) in, or in the curtilage, of residential accommodation in Great Britain (read paragraph 2.21). Neither the social conditions test, nor the 60% test detailed in paragraph 2.4 will need to be applied.
HMRC has updated Energy saving materials and heating equipment (VAT Notice 708/6), which provides guidance on how to account for VAT for contractors and subcontractors installing energy saving materials and grant funded heating equipment. Section 2.18 of the notice has been amended with updated information about air source heat pumps. Read more
