Air Conditioning R22 Replacement
If you have an air conditioning system that is more than ten years old, there is a high probability it uses R22 refrigerant. From the end of 2014, UK regulations in place to meet obligations under the Montreal Protocol will make it unlawful for anyone to service or maintain an air conditioning system using R22 refrigerant.
The ‘phase out’ measure is designed to combat the damage of the ozone layer created by ODS (ozone-depleting substances). It is now illegal to sell equipment containing R22 refrigerant, and many manufacturers are even unable to provide spare parts for these older systems.
The regulations will make replacing R22 refrigerant in existing equipment or installing new cleaner and more efficient air conditioning equipment a high priority for thousands of customers in the UK. Now is the right time to begin the process of removing R22 refrigerant from your system.
The industry estimates there are up to 750,000 R22 systems still in use, so with the deadline approaching, customers waiting until 2015 to begin their replacement process are likely find a shortage of qualified and accredited engineers who are able to meet the changeover demand and timescales.
Trust CoolZone
We are aware of false or misleading information being given to customers who have systems that use R22 refrigerant. All too often, they are given poor advice about what they have to do to comply with forthcoming legislation, with potentially very costly consequences.
CoolZone Air Conditioning will provide its customers with reliable and accurate information about their obligations, as well as providing details and advice in relation to all available options from ‘drop in’ replacement refrigerant blends, partial system upgrades, to full system replacements. This enables our customers to comply with legislation and not be burdened with unnecessary costs.
CoolZone Retrofit Procedure
We recover existing R22 refrigerant from the system pipework into recovery cylinders, recording all unit, site and refrigerant details, in line with government regulations.
We carry out a 2-stage flushing process of refrigerant pipework to remove all oil, acid, water vapour, water and other contaminated particles.
We ensure integrity of all pipework by pressure testing for leaks, and to verify its strength, in line with manufacturer and industry guidelines.
R22 is a refrigerant with a high ODP (ozone-depleting potential) value, and when released into the atmosphere, it causes damage to the ozone layer. The Government, along with the whole of the European Union, have signed a UN international treaty to ‘phase out’ this refrigerant to protect the environment and reduce any further damage to the ozone layer.
It is estimated that more than 60% of air conditioning systems in operation today are using R22 refrigerant, so it is going to be a monumental task to remove it from those systems.
The first step was a ban on all newly manufactured air conditioning systems carrying R22, and then in December 2009, virgin R22 was banned, meaning only recycled R22 was available for servicing, maintenance and repair of systems using R22. This ‘phase out’ will end with a complete ban on all R22 use with effect from January 1st 2015. On that date, if your system uses R22 and suffers a leak, it will not be possible to repair or refill it.
If it is your sole source of heating or cooling, and there is a failure, you may well be without heating or cooling for a considerable period of time. This could be catastrophic if, for example, your system is being used to cool a server room. Until that date, the stock and availability of recycled R22 is continually decreasing, and consequently the cost is being driven up by suppliers as stocks dwindle.
Ignoring Regulation (EC) 1005/2009 and the changes it brings until the end of 2014, will not exempt you or your company from being affected by it as of January 2015. With this in mind, CoolZone Air Conditioning recommend that all users of R22 refrigerants commence planning for their ‘phase out’ now.
Save up to 50% on the cost of replacing your R22 equipment by re-using existing R22 pipework, cables and drain work. CoolZone Air Conditioning will guarantee the quality of existing pipework by using a specialist pipe flushing and decontamination system for the retrofit, ensuring pipework is clean and free from contamination.
The vast majority of systems running R22 refrigerant can be using up to 40% more energy in running costs than a new system, and sometimes even more! With all businesses trying to reduce their rising energy costs, replacing your R22 system can result in substantial savings.
CoolZone Air Conditioning can help you to plan a cost-effective way of replacing your existing R22 equipment, our expert team will take all factors into consideration to advise you on your best course of action.
For further information on how CoolZone Air Conditioning can provide you with a solution for your R22 needs, or a free site survey to upgrade your current systems, please contact a member of our expert team!
With the high cost of remaining R22 stock, and its low availability, it is now a more economical option to replace or upgrade current R22 systems rather than carry out expensive work using a dying refrigerant. CoolZone Air Conditioning can guide you through the minefield of available options, keep your system compliant with regulations, and at the same time provide you with a much more efficient system that will provide you with year on year savings.
Replacing existing R22 must not be ignored or underestimated, and CoolZone Air Conditioning can offer you a very simple and reasonably priced alternative, with minimal disruption to you or your business.
Many new systems offer excellent replacement technology, involving replacing the internal fan coils and external condensers only, with no alteration to any of the pipework, cables or drainage in-between. This in turn lowers the cost of materials, the number of days labour required, and disruption to you.
1 – Switch to using clean ‘drop-in’ refrigerants
These alternative gases are similar to R22, however they are less harmful with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). They are legal to use in air conditioning systems under EC regulations.
Pros
- Minimal initial capital outlay.
- Minimal disruption in the short term.
Cons
- Manufacturers do not endorse the use of ‘drop in’ refrigerants.
- Performance of ‘drop in’ gases is untested and there is no evidence to support their reliability.
- Spare parts for R22 systems are no longer available.
- The running costs of R22 systems are significantly higher than new systems.
- The energy usage and impact on the environment of R22 systems is far greater than the modern alternatives.
2 – Replace the whole system, including the pipework.
Pros
- Modern systems are much more efficient.
- They are designed to use significantly less energy which reduces the running costs.
- The impact on the environment is greatly reduced.
- New units come with the benefit of a warranty period.
Cons
- High initial capital outlay.
- Significant short term disruption.
3 – Replace only the indoor and outdoor units, leaving the existing wiring and pipework in place.
Pros
- Improves efficiency and performance.
- Increases reliability.
- Reduces running costs.
- Lower capital outlay than when replacing the whole system, including pipework.
- Faster and less disruptive than replacing the whole system.
- Reduces waste by taking advantage of the infrastructure already in place.
- Reduces CO2 emissions.
Cons
- This option is not always possible and some systems will need to be completely replaced.
- Initial capital outlay.
- Short term disruption.
Our Brands
Coverage
Air Conditioning Installation Essex
We are based in Chelmsford and we offer our air conditioning installation services to the surrounding areas of Essex, as well as London. We provide air conditioning installation, services, maintenance and repairs services. The areas of Essex that we cover include;
- Aveley
- Basildon
- Benfleet
- Bicknacre
- Billericay
- Bishops Stortford
- Blackmore
- Braintree
- Brentwood
- Brightlingsea
- Broomfield
- Buckhurst Hill
- Burnham-on-Crouch
- Canvey Island
- Castle Point
- Chadwell Heath
- Chelmsford
- Chigwell
- Chipping Ongar
- Clacton-on-Sea
- Coggeshall
- Colchester
- Corringham
- Danbury
- Doddinghurst
- Dovercourt
- East Hanningfield
- Eastwood
- Epping Forest
- Frinton-on-Sea
- Galleywood
- Gidea Park
- Goodmayes
- Grays
- Great Baddow
- Great Dunmow
- Hadleigh
- Halstead
- Harlow
- Harold Wood
- Harwich
- Hatfield Peverel
- Holland-on-Sea
- Hornchurch
- Hutton
- Ilford
- Ingatestone
- Kelvedon
- Kelvedon Hatch
- Langdon Hills
- Leigh-on-Sea
- Little Baddow
- Loughton
- Maldon
- Manningtree
- Margaretting
- Marks Tey
- Mountnessing
- Ongar
- Pitsea
- Prittlewell
- Purfleet
- Rayleigh
- Rochford
- Romford
- Saffron Walden
- Seven Kings
- Shenfield
- Shoeburyness
- South Benfleet
- South Woodham Ferrers
- Southend-on-Sea
- Southminster
- Springfield
- Stanford-le-Hope
- Stock
- Tendring
- Thaxted
- Thurrock
- Tilbury
- Uttlesford
- Waltham Abbey (town)
- Walton-on-the-Naze
- Warley
- West Mersea
- Westcliff-on-Sea
- Wickford
- Witham
- Wivenhoe
- Writtle
- Aveley
- Basildon
- Benfleet
- Billericay
- Braintree
- Brentwood
- Brightlingsea
- Buckhurst Hill
- Burnham-on-Crouch
- Canvey Island
- Castle Point
- Chelmsford
- Chigwell
- Chipping Ongar
- Clacton-on-Sea
- Coggeshall
- Colchester
- Corringham
- Dovercourt
- Eastwood
- Epping Forest
- Frinton-on-Sea
- Grays
- Great Dunmow
- Hadleigh
- Halstead
- Harlow
- Harlow
- Harwich
- Holland-on-Sea
- Hornchurch
- Ingatestone
- Langdon Hills
- Leigh-On-sea
- Loughton
- Maldon
- Manningtree
- Ongar
- Pitsea
- Prittlewell
- Purfleet
- Rayleigh
- Rochford
- Romford
- Saffron Walden
- Shenfield
- Shoeburyness
- South Benfleet
- South Woodham Ferrers
- Southend-on-Sea
- Southminster
- Stanford-le-Hope
- Tendring
- Thaxted
- Thurrock
- Tilbury
- Uttlesford
- Waltham Abbey (town)
- Walton-on-the-Naze
- West Mersea
- Westcliff-on-Sea
- Wickford
- Witham
- Wivenhoe
Our Services
We offer high quality installations for domestic and commercial properties using a range of premium brands and manufacturers.
We provide a full 15 point health check to effectively maintain all types of air conditioning systems. This is available on a Pay-As-You-Go or Annual Agreement basis.
We provide a full call out, fault finding and repair service to a range of new and old air conditioning systems. This applies to any brand and model, from small residential to large industrial scale units.
Improve building air quality with a range of HRV systems which introduce fresh air without the loss of heat or humidity, providing efficient energy use.
R32 is a next generation refrigerant which offers significant benefits such as reduced electricity consumption, low global warming potential and low environmental impact.
We offer Beermaster cooling systems, designed to fully incorporate the demands of the modern cellar cooling industry, suitable for all pubs, clubs and wine bars.
Aquarea is an innovative low-energy system, designed to provide ideal temperatures and hot water in the home, even with extreme outdoor temperatures.
Daikin’s Air Purifier is designed to deal with harmful particles, as well as dust, odours, bacteria, pet hairs, moulds, pollen and mites and other allergens, leaving the indoor air clean and healthy.
Call Out Rates
Monday – Friday
For call out appointment availability between 8:00PM – 6:00AM, or on a Sunday or Bank Holiday, please contact a member of our team directly *rates are subject to change
8:00AM – 5:30PM
Call Out Charge £85.00 EXC VAT
Hourly Rate £49.00 EXC VAT
First 1 Hour Of Labour On Site Included In Call Out Charge
Hourly Rate Charged In 30 Minute Increments After the First Hour.
Saturday
For call out appointment availability between 8:00PM – 6:00AM, or on a Sunday or Bank Holiday, please contact a member of our team directly *rates are subject to change
8:00AM – 5:30PM
Call Out Charge £110.00 EXC VAT
Hourly Rate £65.00 EXC VAT
First 1 Hour Of Labour On Site Included In Call Out Charge
Hourly Rate Charged In 30 Minute Increments After the First Hour.
Products
Our Air Conditioning Products & Services
CoolZone Air Conditioning offer the following air conditioning products & services
- Air Conditioning Installation
- Air Conditioning Installation
- Air Conditioning Maintenance
- Air Conditioning Repair
- Air Conditioning Service
- Bedroom Air Conditioning
- Ceiling Air Conditioning
- Ceiling Air Conditioning
- Commercial Air Conditioning
- Condenser Coil Clean
- Conservatory Air Conditioning
- Daikin Air Conditioning
- Domestic Air Conditioning
- Ducted Air Conditioning
- Ducted Air Conditioning
- Floor Air Conditioning
- Fujitsu Air Conditioning
- Heat Pump
- HV Air Conditioning
- Inside Out Testing
- LG Air Conditioning
- Lounge Air Conditioning
- Mitsubishi Air Conditioning
- Mould Repellant Solution Clean
- Multi-Split Air Conditioning
- Multi-Split Air Conditioning
- Office Air Conditioning
- Panasonic Air Conditioning
- Portable Air Conditioning Units
- Toshiba Air Conditioning
- Ventilation
- VRV/ VRF Air Conditioning
- Wall Mounted Air Conditioning
- Wall Mounted Air Conditioning
Our Clients
What Our Customers Say
Installation was superb!
The fitting and quality of the installation was superb! In the heat of these last few days both my customers and myself have really appreciated the coolness in my shop.
Terry – Classic Cap Company
Westcliff-On-Sea, Essex
It doesn’t get any better than that!
We asked for a quote. They carried out a site survey, provided a quote quickly, and delivered the service they promised. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Gerard – Dedman Gray
Southend-On-Sea, Essex
I would recommended them!
I am very pleased with the air conditioning unit That Air Conditioning Installation Essex fitted in my bedroom. The two engineers who fitted the system were excellent, there was no mess and they worked hard all day. I would, and have already recommended them to my friends.
Peter Serghi
Benfleet, Essex
Thoroughly recommend!
I contacted Air Conditioning Installation Benfleet to help us when our server room air conditioning unit stopped cooling. They provided a quick and efficient service, diagnosing the fault and ordering replacement parts the same day, before returning to fix the unit as soon as the part arrived.
The engineer was courteous and kept me informed of what he was doing, I was very satisfied with the completed work and the price they charged me.
I would thoroughly recommend them for all your air conditioning requirements.
Lesley – LSA Systems
Benfleet, Essex
I would highly recommend them!
Air Con Installation Essex provided a great installation of air conditioning for us. From first contact they were extremely professional and from quotation to the work being carried out have been very helpful, with all work areas being kept safe and tidy at all times.
We also use them for our air conditioning maintenance and they always respond quickly, I would highly recommend them.
Joanne – Bennetts Castle Care Home
Dagenham, Essex
Outstanding advice and service!
Outstanding advice and service. Dan very helpful in advising on what the appropriate unit was for my room and the service was outstanding. Super responsive on email and friendly installation team
Dylan Smith