Know what you want? Try our 'Supplier Directory' 

Toshiba warns over potential ban on pre-charged ac kit

Banning the sale of air conditioning equipment pre-charged with refrigerant would cost installers more, according to Toshiba Air Conditioning's commmercial director David Dunn.
Toshiba warns over potential ban on pre-charged ac kit
He said the systems would need to be charged on site which would be more expensive and time-consuming, and added: 'It would also add to the potential risk of refrigerant loss to atmosphere; charging refrigerant on site at hundreds of thousands of locations across the country, no matter how carefully done, will never be as controllable, precise or safe as in the manufacturer's factory conditions, where charging is fully automated.'

Preventing the sale of pre-charged ac equipment has been suggested as a possible way to cut leakage risks and make refrigerant sales more transparent.

Mr Dunn said manufacturers could comply: 'All it would require is an additional stage to recover the refrigerant after run testing, then charge with oxygen free nitrogen prior to sealing and shipping.'

However, he added: 'We believe the key to ensuring that leaks are minimised is improved standards of training for installers and making sure current regulations on certification and competence are enforced.

'If the issue is accountability and traceability, then it would be straightforward to require manufacturers to provide returns documenting the quantity of refrigerant supplied in pre-charged equipment.

'If the issue is reducing refrigerant release during installation, servicing and ongoing operation, then policing the existing requirements and improving training is the most effective way of ensuring this.'


Follow HVROnlineEditor on Twitter
5 November 2012

Comments

Already Registered?
Login
Not Yet Registered?
Register

HVR Awards 2025: The winners are revealed

With the HVR Awards 2025 officially over, we would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone that attended. Your continued support is what ensures we can put on the best event possible to celebrate the excellence within our industry....

  15-Oct-2025

Stainless Steel Indirect Cylinders – The Foundation Of Sustainable DHW

A plant room-based hybrid approach, which separates heat sources from the water storage, remains the most cost-effective, proven method for obtaining low-carbon water heating in commercial buildings. These systems deploy renewable or low-carbon ...

  15-Oct-2025

STOKVIS R600

CONDENSING ULTRA LOW NOx PREMIX COMMERCIAL BOILER
  10-Jan-2019
Heating & Ventilating Review is the number one magazine in the HVAR industry. Don’t miss out, subscribe today!
Subcribe to HVR

Diary