Air Conditioning Inspections Manchester
Air conditioning systems can account for a large proportion of a building’s energy usage. Having regular inspections carried out by a qualified assessor can improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption, which in turn reduces capital operating costs and carbon emissions.
Building owners and managers who operate air conditioning systems have statutory obligations under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) to ensure that air conditioning inspections are conducted by qualified and accredited air conditioning inspectors. Regulations are mandatory for all air conditioning systems over 12kW.
We can help you develop a corporate strategy to ensure compliance with EPBD, Health Technical Memorandum (HTM), and F-Gas regulations relevant to your business. We will assess your equipment and advise you on the options available, which may include replacement, refit, or retrofit.
A new air conditioning system may represent the best long term investment – in which case, we will calculate likely energy savings, CO2 reductions, and the payback period.
At Kool It Services, we will project manage the transition to your new systems, to ensure the smooth integration and the safe disposal of the R-22 refrigerant. We have key personnel trained and accredited to undertake this work.
Please contact us for further information on how Kool It Services can support you to achieve compliance within your business, or to arrange your HVAC assessment.
Supporting you to achieve compliance within your business
EPBD obligations
All air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kw must be regularly inspected by an energy assessor.
If you control the technical operation of an air conditioning system, are a building manager or owner, then you are responsible for obtaining a TM44 assessment report.
The inspections must be no more than five years apart with the first inspection taking place within five years of the date when the system was first put into service.
Safety & efficiency
Air conditioning system inspections are designed to improve efficiency and reduce system energy consumption, operating costs, and carbon emissions.
The energy assessor will highlight improvements to the operation of existing systems or opportunities to replace older, less energy efficient, or oversized systems with new energy efficient systems.
Inspection, maintenance, and cleaning programmes maintain the ability of the system to provide healthy and comfortable environments for building occupants, limiting the escape of refrigerant gases, and ensuring the safety of equipment.
Kool It HVAC assessments
All assessments must be carried out by an accredited Air Conditioning Energy Assessor. Kool It Services are here to help with specialist engineers who are trained and accredited to undertake this work for you.
Accreditation ensures that our assessors are professional, competent, and adequately insured for the work.
Please contact us for further information on how Kool It Services can support you to achieve compliance within your business, or to arrange your HVAC assessment.
Speak to us on 0800 035 5665 or complete the form below to arrange your air conditioning assessment.
F-Gas regulations for HVAC systems
As of 1 January 2020, it is now illegal to use Virgin R404a to refill (during service or maintenance) an existing refrigeration systems containing 10kG or over (40 Tonnes of CO2 equivalent).1
While your existing systems are running without issue, no action is needed. However, in the event of a gas leak, there are currently three options available under this new legislation:
1. Retrofit equipment
Depending on the type, age, and condition of equipment, in some situations ‘replacement technology’ means it is possible to adapt systems to use R448a, R449a, or R452a drop in replacements. System efficiency and reliability needs to be considered and only qualified engineers can undertake this work.
2. Use of recycled refrigerant R404a
At present, it is possible to use recycled refrigerant R404a to recharge a HVAC system in the event of a leak. However, the availability and cost of recycled refrigerant R404a could well be an issue for most users.
At the time of writing (January 2020), recycled refrigerant R404a is currently around 70% more expensive than Virgin R404a and, therefore, not a long term solution for most.
3. Replacement
Many R404a units are now reasonably old and replacement through phase out is often the most energy efficient way forward. New systems using the latest inverter technologies are likely to have a significantly greater cooling capability (up to 15%) and to use far less electricity (on average approx. 50%). The payback period and the opportunity to make significant CO2 reductions can add up to a big incentive to invest.
A further incentive may be the Government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme which could allow accelerated tax relief on certain new equipment.
For further information, please read Mitsubishi Electric’s Guide to F Gas Regulations and the Future of Refrigerants, or contact us to find out how Kool It Services can support you to achieve compliance within your business.
1. The exemptions are if your plant cools down to -50˚c or is used within military applications.
