International News
RECLAIMED GASES
ARE THE WAY TO GO
A
www.hvacronline.co.za
It is imperative
that installers
and end-
users make
the switch to
reclaimed gases
(or low GWP
alternatives) as
soon as they can.
-Gas is urging installers and end-users to waste no time in
making the switch to reclaimed refrigerants as this year’s
ban on the use of virgin R404A (GWP 3922) is now in effect.
From January 1, virgin refrigerants with a GWP of 2500 or
greater are no longer in use in new installations. Maintenance
has also been affected as systems with a charge size of 40
tonnes CO 2 equivalent or greater – more easily understood
as around 10kgs of R404A – cannot be serviced using virgin
material with this high GWP.
A-Gas is urging installers and end-users to make the switch
to reclaimed gases (or low GWP alternatives) as soon as they
can. A-Gas said in a statement, “The F-Gas Regulations allow
reclaimed R404A to be used up until 2030 regardless of the
charge size. As a refrigerant supplier, we have been increasing our
capacity to handle reclaimed R404A which we believe will be a
steppingstone to the new generation of low GWP refrigerants.
“A-Gas has invested heavily in expanding reclamation facilities
in the UK and in Europe. The news that major refrigerant suppliers
are removing all stocks of virgin R404A and R507A from sale in
the European market reinforces the importance that the switch
to reclaimed gases must gain pace if the industry is to manage
this change.
“It is also key that installers and end users understand
the difference between reclaimed and recycled refrigerants.
Recycled refrigerant is a handy quick fix which is cleaned up
and can only be used on site. While reclaimed refrigerant is
product that has been reprocessed by a licensed facility to the
industry standard AHRI 700 to match that of virgin product. It is
purified, certificated and guaranteed to be returned to the same
standard as virgin material.
“The demand for reclaimed R404A will grow and this will have
an effect on supplies. While low GWP alternatives are in the long
run the preferable choice, reclaimed gases are part of the future
as they make use of material that has already been produced,
helping to prolong the life of equipment and reducing the burden
on producing new, quota restricted, material.” RACA
RACA Journal I March 2020
7