ICS Cool Energy, the temperature control specialist, is advising companies to find alternative solutions to their existing R22 systems before 1 January 2015, when recycled or reclaimed hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) will no longer be used to service refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
According to the law, refrigeration or air-conditioning units found to use HCFCs, particularly the ozone depleting R22 refrigerant, will become obsolete, and will no longer be able to be serviced.

The company says that sites with existing cooling systems that are in a poor condition or not meeting current cooling loads should upgrade to a system that uses non-ozone depleting refrigerants, such as R410A and R134a.

In addition, units in good working order will also need updating with a convert solution. Depending on the existing system, replacements could take form of a simple retro-fill operation, carried out during a standard service drop-in. Alternatively, a more comprehensive modification may be needed, which may require a new oil type, an additional compressor and/or a heat exchanger.

At present there is no recognised retro-fill solution for flooded or pump-circulation systems, so if an existing system incorporates a flooded HCFC, then a refrigeration contractor should be contacted. While conversion is a potential option, a converted flooded system may have less cooling capacity and, potentially, be less efficient than a new unit.

As a solution to the change of legislation and to replace equipment containing HCFCs, ICS Cool Energy is recommending energy-saving Turbocor compressors.