HVCA warns against the early phase out of HFCs
HFCs as refrigerants could eventually be superseded, according to a position paper on the future use of refrigerants containing HFCs developed by the refrigeration and air-conditioning group of the Heating & Ventilating Contractor’s Association and endorsed by the HVCA council. However, concern is expressed about phasing out these substances too early.
The paper makes clear that the refrigeration sector and some of the air-conditioning sector could already operate without HFCs, which have high global-warming potentials. But the RAC group insists that considering banning the use of HFCs as early as 2011, as part of a scheduled review of the European F-Gas Regulation, is entirely impractical in that it would require wholesale plant-replacement programmes that end users simply could not afford to carry out.
The group believes that for the foreseeable future, HFCs have a vital role to play in helping users make the transition from ozone-depleting refrigerants such as the HCFC-based R22, which is already the subject of a phase-out programme.
The position paper argues, ‘As things stand, HFCs remain the most energy-efficient choice for many applications — for example, in most small to medium-sized air-conditioning systems.
‘Refrigerants are currently responsible for just 2% of global greenhouse emissions — and some 75% of that figure is accounted for by vehicle air conditioning. In 10 year’s time when the motor industry has met its phase-out target, HFCs will account for less than 0.5% of greenhouse-gas emissions.’
The paper stresses that the industry has embraced the European F Gas Regulation and encouraged the UK Government to enforce it rigorously to bring refrigerant leakage under control. It also refers to the development of further best practice that goes far beyond the mandatory requirements.
By 2011, the F Gas Regulation will have been in place for only 18 months. ‘This is not a very long period during which to ascertain whether it is having the desired effect, especially in terms of significant reduction in refrigerant leakage,’ the position paper points out.
The HVCA and RAC group are therefore urging an open mind to the review process and for the relative pros and cons to be considered very carefully before a judgement is made on the HFC issue.
