UK: Toshiba has introduced a lease scheme for companies and individuals looking to replace R22 equipment which could virtually pay for itself through the energy savings achieved with new R410A equipment.
Despite the ban on the use of virgin refrigerant, R22 is still one of the most common refrigerants in use in installed systems. According to Toshiba there may be upwards of 200,000 R22 systems still in operation. Under EU legislation, however, use of R22 for topping up plant will be banned from the end of 2014.

'Systems still running on R22 will effectively become obsolete,' says Toshiba Air Conditioning commercial director, David Dunn. 'The problem is there is a huge amount of R22-based equipment still in use across the UK - in offices, shops, hotels, restaurants and many other commercial and public buildings.

Toshiba's new lease scheme enables building operators to replace aging R22 plant with new high efficiency air conditioning in a budget neutral way.

'The savings in running costs in the vast majority of cases pay for the lease costs on the new equipment, giving up to seven years peace of mind - plus high quality heating and cooling for building occupants,' claims David Dunn.

The key to the scheme is the use of high efficiency R410A equipment to replace old R22 systems. According to Toshiba, in most cases the monthly saving in running costs will equal the lease costs for the new equipment, making the replacement programme budget neutral.

'It is a painless way for end users to solve the R22 headache,' says David Dunn. 'And the sooner people make the switch, the quicker the carbon reductions kick in for their building or estate, delivering a significant environmental benefit. It is a win-win for all concerned.'

There is said to have been keen interest in the scheme from a number of major end users operating national estates still dependent on R22-based air conditioning.
As well as solving the R22 problem without requiring upfront investment in capital costs, the scheme also provides a warranty of up to seven years on the new equipment.

The full legal requirements under F-Gas legislation are also covered on behalf of the end user, with old equipment removed and recycled and refrigerant disposed of with full certification, delivering complete peace of mind.

Toshiba has developed an online R22 replacement calculator to enable end users, consultants and contractors to assess the cost of applying the scheme to a particular building or estate. With a few key figures, it can provide an accurate indication of the monthly costs of taking up the scheme.