tip
A typical new family fridge uses
two-thirds less energy and
generates two-thirds less
greenhouse gas than a twenty
year old one. Hanging onto
that old clunker could be
costing $130 more and
generating an extra tonne of
greenhouse gas each year.
HFCs, HCFCs & CFCs
Fridges
- Until 1994, fridges and freezers used CFCs as refrigerant fluids. CFCs are very active greenhouse gases—the small amount used in a typical fridge is equivalent to around a tonne of the most common greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. CFCs also attack the ozone layer.
- Since 1994, they have used Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that have a lower potential to damage the ozone layer and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which do not attack the ozone layer, but are still powerful greenhouse gases, with the amount in a typical fridge being equivalent to up to 200 kilograms of carbon dioxide.
- If your fridge motor is running for long periods or cannot maintain the correct temperatures, it may be losing refrigerant. Call a licensed service person sooner rather than later, to minimise refrigerant loss.
Airconditioners
fact
Evaporative airconditioners use
water rather than refrigerants, and
some new models are incorporating
water saving features.
- Like fridges, many modern airconditioners still use refrigerants that both attack the ozone layer and are very active greenhouse gases.
- Airconditioners typically have ten times more refrigerant in them than fridges, so it is even more important to avoid leakage when installing them, using them, or throwing them away.
- If your airconditioner isn’t performing as well as it used to, it may be losing refrigerant. Check for other factors such as a clogged filter, then call a licensed service person sooner rather than later, to minimise refrigerant loss.
- Car airconditioners use similar quantities of refrigerants to home units.
- When disposing of an old fridge or airconditioner, ensure the refrigerant is recovered.
It’s the law!
- By law, any maintenance or repair work involving refrigerants (either CFCs, HFCs or HCFCs) must be done by an appropriately licensed person who will have equipment to recover and recycle the refrigerants. Contact your local council or the Australian Refrigeration Council (1300 884 483) to find out about any local recovery schemes or to find out more about licensing.