One in every five supermarkets still using refrigerant R 22 and damaging the climate
Federal grants for quick phase-out
The Federal Environment Agency is urging quick replacement of the refrigerant R 22 with climate-friendly alternatives. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are still being used as coolants at butchers’, in canteen kitchens, air conditioning systems, or in supermarkets. Although it damages the ozone layer if it leaks, one in every five supermarkets in Germany still uses R 22. The European Union has banned the production of R 22 after 1 January 2010, but it foresees a transition period until 2015 which will allow users to continue to use recycled R 22. Jochen Flasbarth, President of the Federal Environment Agency, however, is advising consumers to refrain from using R 22 as of now, saying, ”Users should make a quick switch to more climate-friendly refrigerants such as carbon dioxide in their cooling systems. As a reward there are funds available from the Federal government’s climate protection programme.”