With global warming becoming an increasing threat to the environment, the UN have banned harmful chemicals found in air conditioning, refrigerators and aerosol sprays.
These chemicals are known as HFCs, or hydrofluorocarbons, and have been found to increase the rate of global warming. Despite being mostly utilised in emerging economies, the rate of HFCs used has increased by up to 15% making them the fastest growing greenhouse gas.
What are HFCs?
HFCs were originally created as an alternative to CFCs in the 1987 Montreal Protocol. It was hoped that the use of HFCs as a refrigerant would reduce the emerging hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica.
While the ozone layer hole has begun to mend with the adoption of HFCs, it was not known that HFCs would exacerbate the rate of global warming leaving the UN looking for yet another alternative.
What has the deal proposed?
The deal has taken into consideration the financial implications of changing chemical usage and adopted three different plans. The UK, US and EU have agreed to limit HFC use in the next few years with a view to reduce usage by at least 10% in 2019. Other developing countries will aim to stop using HFCs in either 2024 or 2028.
Global warming
The ban of HFCs is hoped to help with the increasing temperature of the Earth, which is causing a number of environmental issues such as the melting of ice caps and increased sea levels. This amendment to the Montreal Protocol along with the Paris Climate Agreement have taken steps to address these issues are a matter of urgency.
TEK always strive to use environmentally friendly air conditioning refrigerant. One air conditioning refrigerant was completely banned last year – R22. If your unit is still running on R22 then it’s time to replace. For more information on air conditioning installation or refrigerant, you can call us on 0117 952 33 55 or fill in our contact form and we will get back to you.
