Do you own or operate air conditioning or cooling equipment, containing HCFC refrigerant R22, and installed before 2005?
From 1st January 2010 the sale and use of virgin (new) R22 refrigerant became illegal. Recycled R22 will be available but if demand outstrips supply availability may be limited and costs prohibitive. You should consider the options available to you to keep this equipment running until the complete phase out of R22 in January 2015.
Replacing R22 systems may not be an attractive option in the current climate however deferring action may be more costly in the long run. Options to consider are:
Do nothing! Keep the R22 system going using reclaimed refrigerant:
No changes or capital expense required
Time to plan and budget for upgrade or changes
Equipment may still have some useful operating life
However:
Shortages & high prices as stocks of reclaimed R22 dwindle
Total ban on R22 from 1 Jan 2015 - reclaimed R22 could run out before then
Spares may be difficult to source for equipment repairs.
Refit existing equipment to use a substitute refrigerant:
Manufacturers may advise against use of substitute refrigerant
ECA - Offset of Capital Cost on eligible equipment
Lower CO2 emissions
Extended service life
D-Mec Services Ltd is a specialist, professional in air conditioning Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire & Buckinghamshire.
We can provide free site surveys and assessments and suggest effective solutions to enable you to manage your air conditioning efficiently. Our website has more information to raise awareness of the impending R22 phase out. Call us now for free, no obligation advice on 01525 852819.
As winter approaches, the temperature drops, and your heat pump system switches from cooling to heating, it may give off an unpleasant odour which has been likened to dirty socks! This is common with heat pumps and is caused by microbes that collect and breed on heat pump coils and in the moist environment of condensate trays.
The coils are wet with condensation and attract microbes which adhere to the coils as air flows across them. The smell occurs when the unit reverses itself in the defrost cycle and the evaporator coils warm up and act as a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi & moulds.
Problems can be prevented by carrying out a planned preventative maintenance programme. The coils, condensate tray and drains should be cleaned regularly and treated with a suitable disinfectant to kill any microbes. Keeping the air filter clean is also important, as air flow is critical to the efficient operation of the heat pump.Regular maintenance increases the effectiveness, energy efficiency and service life of the system, leading to major cost savings.
Regular Maintenance is the best way to ensure years of problem-free and economical heating. Specialists in servicing heat pumps Milton Keynes, can inspect your system and provide heat pump and air conditioning cleaning and maintenance services. Call us them or search online to arrange a service or installation.
Properly maintaining your heating system, whether a conventional system or a high-efficiency one, is the best way to ensure years of problem-free and economical heating. Most heating systems operate reliably for a long time if they are well-maintained.
A heat pump system provides heating during the winter by extracting thermal energy from external air and releasing it inside the building.During the summer the process is reversed and it operates as air conditioning by venting internal heat outside.
Heat pumps are up to five times more efficient than fossil fuel boilers and can significantly reduce annual fuel bills and CO2 emissions.
Because a heat pump is refrigeration equipment they are provided by specialist companies of air conditioning Milton Keynes and its maintenance demands will be less than a comparable boiler system.However, failing to address minor problems may lead to expense and inconvenience and we strongly recommend regular servicing by our fully trained professional engineers.
D-Mec Services Ltd is an approved installer of the award winning Daikin Altherma heating system, which has been awarded the European Eco Label for high environmental performance, higher energy efficiency & reduced global warming impact.
Call us now on 01525 852819 to arrange for service or installation of your Heat Pump system.
The F Gas Regulations aim to contain, prevent and reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases, covered by the Kyoto Protocol, to help combat climate change and global warming. On March 9th 2009 the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009 came into force.
From 4th July 2009 it is an offence to carry out the installation, servicing or maintenance of Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Hertfordshire equipment containing F Gases without a company certificate issued by an appointed certification body.
In Great Britain, the person having control of the equipment containing the F gas refrigerant (the “operator”), typically a company, is likely to have responsibility for compliance. Also, any business employing personnel involved in refrigerant handling must ensure that they have the appropriate qualifications. Local Authorities will act as enforcing bodies.
DEFRA has designated REFCOM as a provider of the mandatory F gas company certification scheme and it can issue full certificates and interim certificates.
Between July 4th 2009 and July 4th 2011 an Interim Company Certificate will be sufficient. To apply for interim certification a company must provide information about the business and a list of employed engineers who hold an appropriate qualification of City & Guilds 2078 or CITB J01.
By July 4th 2011 all companies will need a Full Company Certificate (valid for 3 years). A company must provide information about the business and a list of employed engineers who hold an appropriate qualification of City & Guilds 2079 or CITB J11-J14, and proof that appropriate recovery systems and refrigerant handling procedures are in place and in use.
Once a company is registered, REFCOM issues a Certificate and the Company details, along with their registration number, appear in the public listing on REFCOM’s website http://www.refcom.org.uk
Recent temperatures across the UK were high enough to be declared a heat wave and the Met Office forecasts that UK temperatures for the rest of the Summer are likely to be warmer than average, with temperatures expected to be above 30°C. Although temperatures in the UK do not ordinarily reach high extremes, heat can be difficult to cope with if you are not used to it.
Have you considered the longer term impact that climate and weather changes could have on your business? Can you maintain a cool and energy efficient working environment for your staff during a heat wave? Can your Air Conditioning take the strain, or will you swelter during an unexpected breakdown?
A breakdown may have a negative impact on your business, with reduced productivity, staff discomfort, product deterioration, breakdown call out charges and unexpected repair costs. Customers without a preventative maintenance contract may find themselves given lower priority or may find that call out and repair charges are higher than expected - can you afford to wait for the repairs?
During a heat wave air conditioning companies are inundated with breakdown calls from desperate customers who have not maintained their Air Conditioning equipment. Consider these questions:
• Was your Air conditioning installed some years ago?
• Do you use the air conditioning regularly?
• Do you carry out regular checks?
• Is your Air Conditioning maintained on a regular basis?
• Is your maintenance contract provider F-Gas Certified?
Minimise the risk of breakdown by taking out a scheduled maintenance contract now to ensure trouble free operation and reduced replacement part costs. Regular checks and scheduled preventative maintenance can improve the energy efficiency of your equipment and can be tailored to suit your specific needs.
D-Mec Services is a specialist, professional, air conditioning Milton Keynes provider and offers a cost-effective breakdown service provided by highly qualified and trained engineers.
NB From 4 July 2009 it is a legal requirement for all businesses that install, maintain or service refrigeration & air-conditioning equipment containing F-Gas refrigerants to hold an F-Gas Certificate. D-Mec Services Ltd is registered under the new scheme and our registration no is REF1000319.
Do you own or operate air conditioning or cooling equipment containing HCFC refrigerants? Are you aware of your new legal obligations under EU F Gas Regulations? Take advice from an air conditioning specialist to give your business a head start before the next phase of legislation comes into effect on 1st January 2010.
HCFC’s (such as the commonly used R22) are being phased out and from 1st January 2010 the sale and use of newly produced HCFC refrigerants will be illegal in the maintenance and servicing of air conditioning and cooling equipment. Recycled or recovered HCFC’s may be used until 31 December 1014 but this is a short term option with likely reduced availability and higher costs becoming an issue as the deadline approaches.
If you own or operate an air-conditioning system it is your responsibility to comply with the new regulations and all air-conditioning systems are affected. Operators must take precautionary measures to prevent and repair leaks and use appropriately qualified personnel to carry out installation, servicing & maintenance, and leakage checks. Companies who do not comply may face penalties.
In the current economic climate, business’s are especially cost conscious. Financial benefits of an air conditioning upgrade include:
• the Government’s ECA Scheme (tax relief on certain new equipment)
• new equipment is likely to be more efficient and cheaper to run
• Up to 5 years warranty on new equipment
• significantly reduce CO2 emissions and your Company’s carbon footprint
• avoidance of non-compliance penalties
D-Mec Services is a specialist, professional, provider of air conditioning Milton Keynes area. We can provide assessments and suggest effective solutions to enable companies to comply with their obligations under the new legislation. Take a look at our web site which has information about our specialist air conditioning services and information to raise awareness of the impending phase out.
Your air conditioning unit needs regular maintenance, especially if it is in a commercial property such as an office or a factory. If something goes wrong unexpectedly it will be a lot costlier for you; the cost of regular maintenance can be offered with some air conditioning Bedford companies.
The annoyance of a vital tool breaking down is indescribable. But what if the break down could have been prevented? The old saying, ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’ always stands when something taken for granted then is no longer there. Granted, this can happen with new, old, high and low quality items. But many things break down simply because they are not maintained, and kept in an unsuitable standard to keep them working.
There are certain things you can check on yourself that will not require the assistance of an engineer:
• Cleaning the filter- it is possible to clean the inside filter, pipes and fan yourself. Regular cleaning will keep the operating efficiently; instructions on how to clean tem will be given in the manual that should accompany your unit.
• Clean the compressor- in a split-system air conditioner this will be outside, and needs to be cleaned with a hose.
• Covering the unit- if you do have a split-system air conditioner, the compressor will need to be covered in the winter.
Occasionally, problems can occur including water leakage and unusual smells and noises. Some of these problems can be easily fixed yourself but some will require the assistance of an engineer. Always consult a manual or guide to see if your specific problem is covered before calling out an engineer. Generally speaking an engineer should perform a full check every year or so to keep the unit working as it should.
D-Mec air conditioning, installation and maintenance coverage ensures that if there is a problem, they are there to fix it. The importance of maintaining an air conditioner is because if they are not maintained, they can cause serious health problems as well as being an inconvenience and unneeded expense. Stale air is circulated and spreads the risk of germs and bacteria. But when working properly and kept clean, air conditioners keep the air quality at a very high quality and ensure a comfortable working environment for all staff.
D-Mec Services provides air conditioning maintenance, repair and installations to customers living in the Hertfordshire region. For more information about Air Conditioning Hertfordshire give us a call.
D-Mec Services extends its air conditioning services to Hertfordshire, including the town of Hemel Hempstead. If you live in this area give us a call and we will be available to respond to your enquiry. For air conditioning Hemel Hempstead, D-Mec services is your best option.
For people living in Dunstable, D-Mec Services can confirm that we provide air conditioning installations, servicing, maintenance and repairs to Dunstable and surrounding areas. Our experienced and friendly team of expert installers have been providing air conditioning services across the UK for over 12 years, specialising mainly in areas throughout the south eastern counties such as Bedfordshire and the east midlands.
