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Air conditioning in vehicles has become a standard feature for most new cars being sold today. While it provides us with comfort during long drives in the warmer months of the year, it also has a downside - the environmental impact of the gas within the unit. Most air conditioning systems in vehicles contain fluorinated gases (F-gases), which are potent greenhouse gases known to escape during the vehicle's lifetime, servicing, and end-of-life. These gasses pose a significant threat to the environment and it's essential to understand the impact to prevent further damage.
In this blog post, we dive deeper into the environmental impact of F-gases in vehicle air conditioning and look at some of the courses Autotech Training offers for technicians involved in the service and maintenance of vehicle air conditioning systems.
F-gases are commonly used in vehicle air conditioning units as they are non-flammable, non-toxic, and have good thermodynamic properties. However, they are synthetic compounds that contain fluorine and carbon atoms, and their use is classified as a potential contributor to climate change.
According to the European Environmental Agency (EEA), F-gases have a global warming potential of 1,000 times greater than carbon dioxide. What’s more, the use of F-gases in air conditioning accounts for approximately 5% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions.
These gases are likely to escape during vehicle maintenance, particularly during recharging or repair and end-of-life disposal of vehicles. As the number of vehicles on the roads continues to increase, so does the likelihood of F-gas emissions, making it vital to address the issue. Finding alternative solutions to air conditioning that do not rely on these harmful gases has become a big priority and Governments and manufacturers are working to phase out F-gases and promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly options.
As part of the UK Government’s F Gas Regulation in Great Britain, the use of F gases in certain applications is banned and the rules set requirements for leak checks, leakage repairs and recovery of used gas. In addition, the F gas Regulation requires that all technicians handling F gases must be trained in their safe use and certified.
If you need to service, repair, or dismantle a vehicle's air-conditioning equipment, ensuring that you hold a relevant qualification in refrigerant recovery and handling is crucial. Anyone handling or recovering refrigerants in vehicle air-conditioning equipment requires the correct qualifications to meet minimum requirements. Furthermore, if the vehicle's air-conditioning system contains a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) such as R12, any maintenance work that involves breaking into the refrigerant circuit should not be carried out. Instead, a specialist business should be used to dispose of equipment containing CFCs and comply with the duty of care for waste.
F-gases should be used with caution, and it is good practice to check vehicle air-conditioning equipment containing F-gases for any leaks before refilling it. Before retrofitting an air-conditioning system that uses an F-gas with a global warming potential of greater than 150, it's crucial to check with the manufacturer or dealer that a vehicle type is approved. Finally, it's important to remember that no car or light van should be retrofitted with an air-conditioning system that contains an F-gas with a GWP of greater than 150.
Autotech Training offers IMI Level 3 air conditioning training courses for technicians. The 1 day IMI award in ‘Automotive Refrigerant Handling’ has been specifically designed to provide the knowledge, training and qualification necessary to satisfy EU legislation in the mobile air conditioning market. It is designed for anyone handling refrigerants within the automotive industry including mobile mechanics, garages, body shops, main dealerships and automotive dismantlers. On completion of this qualification, technicians will hold a valid certificate (attestation) to legally recover F-gas.
Alternatively, the 2-day IMI award in ‘Automotive Air Conditioning Servicing and Maintenance’ offers automotive technicians the opportunity to develop new skills and enhance existing ones. It also incorporates Unit AC1 (K/600/3391) Refrigerant Handling (EC842-2006). This unit is approved by Defra for MAC technicians (working with cars and car derived vans) who handle F-gas. Upon completion of this course technicians will legally be able to recover and handle F-gas and also service, maintain and repair vehicle air conditioning systems.
Air conditioning systems in vehicles are responsible for emitting F-gases, which pose a significant threat to the environment. The misuse and mismanagement of these gases can lead to further damage to the environment, which is why regulations have been put in place to minimize emissions. Autotech Training provides the necessary training courses and certifications needed to comply with legal requirements and handle F-gases responsibly. This training is essential, especially with the growing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles. By ensuring that technicians are trained in handling F-gases responsibly, we can work towards a sustainable environment while enjoying the comfort of our vehicles' air conditioning systems.
For further information visit Specialist Automotive & MOT Training | Autotech Training
