The end of R22 could be a new beginning
The banning of virgin HCFCs from the end of this year could be extremely positive for the air-conditioning industry, according to Philip Sloper, managing director of national LG distributor Thermofrost Cryo. He believes that the difficulties that will be faced by users of older units dependent on R22 will be replaced with the opportunity to upgrade their old, inefficient systems with much more efficient new ones.
He says, ‘A new LG inverter running off eco-friendly R410A with a new 3-year parts warranty is going to make a lot more sense than make do and mend of an old one.
‘The manufacture of R22 refrigeration and cooling-only air-conditioning systems was phased out in 2002, and heat pumps at the end of 2003. These systems are quite old now, so it makes sense for contractors to steer their customers towards a completely new system which will be more energy efficient and eco friendly.’
