HVAC & Refrigeration specialists prepared for new climate change regulation that comes into effect 1st January 2020

HVAC & Refrigeration Engineering Ltd (HVAC&R), part of Nucore Group, has recently expanded its Services Division with two new roles within its refrigeration and compliance division, ahead of new climate change regulations that take effect from 1st January 2020.  Guidance and compliance advisory service is a core service provided to the oil and gas sector and the newly expanded team offers a breadth of experience to better support customers with changes to regulations.

Ian Fitzgerald Refrigeration Team Leader and Rob Mackay IEng, Compliance Team Leader, recently joined HVAC&R, bringing to the company over 15-years’ experience in HVAC and refrigeration industry and enhancing the services that HVAC&R offers.

With the growing volume and complexity of regulations, customers rely on HVAC&R to ensure systems are compliant with the latest regulations. Recently, this has included refrigerants with a global warming potential (GWP) greater than 2500.

Refrigerants, higher than GWP 2500, being used to service or refill refrigeration or freezer systems with a charge size of 40 tonnes CO2 equivalent or more are to be banned from 1st January 2020 in the UK and EU. HVAC&R has been busy during the year preparing and supporting its customers to ensure that they're ready when the new regulations come into force.

The HVAC&R team has been reviewing and assessing existing refrigeration equipment on vessels, platforms and onshore facilities, providing guidance and recommendations on climate-friendly alternatives in place of refrigerants that are greater than GWP 2500.

Refrigerants play a critical role within the oil and gas sector.  Companies are switching to alternatives, for example, using recycled HFC refrigerants that have been recycled – both are exempt from the servicing ban of the F-gas regulation until 2030 if the HFC refrigerant has been reclaimed from such system. Another alternative would be switching to lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants which are not covered by the 2020 service ban, which may involve replacing or retrofitting existing systems.

HVAC & Refrigeration Engineering Ltd is an international provider of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration solutions to the oil and gas, marine and petrochemical industries. With over 50 years' experience, our engineers and technicians ensure HVAC and refrigeration systems operate correctly, efficiently and meet ever-changing industry legislation.