Fluorinated greenhouse gases
Global warming is rising rapidly and climate change is a serious threat to our natural environment, our economy and our societies. The consequences may be catastrophic and the world is facing one of the biggest challenges it has ever faced.
Global warming is the result of emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and fluorinated gases. These gases are also called “greenhouse gases”.
The sun heats the surface of the earth by emitting solar radiation. Part of this energy is trapped by greenhouse gases and is not reflected back.
These gases act like the glass walls of a greenhouse, leaving the sun’s radiation to enter, but preventing the outgoing radiation from exiting Earth’s surface.
All of the above leads to Global warming, with all of its implications, namely:
- Sea levels rising
- Destruction of entire ecosystems
- Upheaval in the global climate, etc.
Furthermore, significant prohibitions on products containing fluorinated gases are also introduced. At the same time the training of staff and certification of the companies involved in this field are made compulsory.
The above Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 16 April 2014 and has been applied since 01.01.15.
In the Republic of Cyprus, the Regulation has been harmonised with Law 62(I)/2016 on fluorinated greenhouse gases.
The new Regulation, inter alia, determines that from 1st January 2017, refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment charged with hydrofluorocarbons shall not be placed on the market unless hydrofluorocarbons charged into the equipment are accounted for within the quota system referred to in Chapter IV of the Regulation (relevant guide is attached below), as well as that equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases, is sold to the end user only when it is shown that the installation will be performed by a certified company.
Natural persons who already hold a certificate to handle fluorinated greenhouse gases and wish to update their knowledge or simply to be informed on alternative technologies replacing fluorinated gases may visit www.realalternatives.eu. In order to be able to use all of the material contained on the site, they must first register for free (log in).
These gases, that have been proven to have contributed to the acceleration of climate change by at least 5%, are normally found in the refrigeration and air conditioning systems, in firefighting equipment and insulating foam. If released into the atmosphere, their damaging effects may last for hundreds, even thousands of years.
The most common gases
In Cyprus, the most widely used fluorinated gases are found in the air conditionin systems in our homes and cars. Consumers must be careful when buying an air conditioner, since the term “eco-gas” is incorrect and has been attributed to fluorinated gases as they do not contribute, compared to the previous gases used, in the depletion of the ozone layer.
In most cases, the gases used in air conditioners are R-404a, R-407a and R-410a.
In vehicle air conditioning systems, the R-134a is most commonly used.
The use of the above gases is permitted and buyers can check the gas by observing the label (tag) that is glued to the outer casing of the equipment or even onto the compressor.
Certification of fluorinated greenhouse gas operators According to European Regulation 517/2014, any person engaged in work related to fluorinated greenhouse gases, must be examined in a specific material and obtain the appropriate pilot certificate. gas. A basic condition is to pass specific theoretical and practical exams and the individual application is made directly to the Assessment Body, and in turn the Institutions inform us about the successful candidates so that we can issue them the appropriate certificates.