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The director of the Ozone and Climate Protection Section in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Patrick McInerney has advised AREMA that the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, intends to implement restrictions on small air conditioning equipment with high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant.
From 1 July 2024, Australia will ban the import and manufacture of small air conditioning equipment using refrigerant with a GWP over 750. This ban will apply to equipment with up to 2.6 kg refrigerant charge (per the compliance/rating plate) for use in cooling, heating, or both heating and cooling, a stationary space, primarily for human comfort. Equipment covered will include portable and window/wall units and non-ducted split systems (single and multi-head).
The ban will not apply to similar air conditioning equipment that is ducted, for mobile applications such as caravans and boats, or to systems for use in electrical enclosures and computer rooms.
Existing equipment will not be affected. Equipment imported or manufactured before 1 July 2024 will be allowed to be sold after that date.
Minister Plibersek has also asked the department to develop and consult on options to speed up the transition away from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and other uses, to support the HFC phase-down and deliver additional emissions reduction under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Program. The first priority will be consultation on options for increasing the rate of transition to lower GWP refrigerants in commercial refrigeration equipment.
The Secretariat,
PO Box 3507
Newmarket
QLD 4051
Phone: 1300 413 011
Email: [email protected]
Airconditioning and Refrigerant Equipment Manufacturers Association of Australia
Australia’s leading HVAC industry association representing companies actively engaged in the manufacture and marketing of air filtration, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment throughout Australia.
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