We thought it would be useful to provide some articles that delve a bit deeper into what you can expect from your air conditioning report and some of the aspects covered in our inspection report for your premises. The next 3 articles here will do just that. Our recommendations are always in your best interests to make your system compliant with the regulations or to give you cost savings and efficient methods of operation.
System Controls
We look at how the air conditioning system can be controlled more effectively. Usually we would recommend a better controller, which has the benefit of a 7 days ON/OFF Timer. If a good quality controller is already in place then our energy assessors review the time and date setting, temperature setting, ON/OFF periods and compare it to the actual occupancy periods and environmental conditions. If there are discrepancies or periods when an air conditioning system is being used unnecessarily, we will address this in our report.
Blockages and System Size
Some of the more common problems we see on the site are blocked filters and indoor grilles, blocked, or damaged condensers, and poor insulation around the pipes. Temperature control is often too high or too low or heating and cooling is being operated simultaneously. This can lead to icing of the condensers, which can lead to system failure. A poor air conditioning system installation can also give problems, as can the incorrect time and date settings programmed into controllers.
In many cases, the size of the installed air conditioner is too large for purpose. We perform an initial calculation in order to find out if the system is oversized. If the system is too large, we suggest the unit is replaced with a smaller more economical and efficient unit especially if it is an old system. If it is comparatively new, we would usually suggest shutting off a couple of units if there is more than one present.
Refrigerants
A section of the report is devoted to refrigerant as refrigerants have negative effects on the environment and destroy ozone in the atmosphere. Old refrigerant like R-22 and R-11 have much bigger effect on ozone compare to new refrigerants like R-410A or R-407C. As air conditioning inspectors, we are responsible for checking the units for any leakage. Leaks are usually easily identified by finding oily stains on the pipes.
We also check the refrigerant itself as part of the air conditioning report. We check how much refrigerant is present in the system and divide them into 2 different categories:
- 1. F gas refrigerant like R-410A and R-407C and R-134a under effect of EU Regulation 842/2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) applications containing 3 kg or more of fluorinated greenhouse gases must be checked by certified personnel at least once every 12 months.
- 2. Ozone depletion gases like R-22 or R-11 (Under effect of EC Regulation No 2037/2000 on HCFC refrigerant. This Regulation aims to reduce emissions of HCFC). The operator of the system must ensure that air conditioning systems containing 3 kg or more of HCFC refrigerant (including R22) is checked for leakage by certified personnel on a regular basis (every 12 months).
We also make recommendation on systems bigger than 25Kw. Based on The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000, vapour compression refrigeration system where the installed power exceeds 25 kW requires a written scheme of examination. Users and owners of pressure systems are required to demonstrate that they know:
- 1. The safe operating limits, principally pressure and temperature, of their pressure systems.
- 2. They need to ensure that a suitable written scheme of examination is in place before the system operation.
- 3. They also need to ensure that the pressure system is examined in accordance with the written scheme of examination.
Check back for our other upcoming articles for more information as this is just a small section of the checks we include in the air conditioning report.
