Ecodesign Directive

As everybody within our industry is aware the Eco design Directive for Professional Refrigerated Storage Cabinets came into force from the 1st July 2016, here at Pentland Wholesale we have been monitoring the situation and working with our suppliers to ensure all our products continuously comply with EU legislation.

In brief, the products that are included are all solid door fan assisted refrigerated cabinets used for storage but not display of product. These products were rated A – G depending on the operating efficiency however the 1st July 2019 will see a new change to the Eco design Directive relating to professional refrigeration products, with an additional drive for manufacturers to make their equipment more efficient and to reduce carbon emissions. The energy efficiency classifications have changed and the previous F rated products can no longer be manufactured, as such all new applicable cabinets will now be rated with an energy efficiency rating
of A+++ to E.

F Gas regulations places restrictions on the use of some HFC refrigerants which have a high GWP (Global Warming Potential). This regulation sets limits on the products used in specific types of systems with an aim to reduce the contribution of refrigerant gases to global warming.

The 1^st January 2020 saw a mandatory limit of 2500GWP being introduced, which effectively prevents the manufacture of products containing a refrigerant with a GWP higher than 2500 and a limitation on the use of high GWP refrigerants in servicing. This limit affects large-scale commercial refrigeration like that found in supermarkets, and some commercial / professional refrigerated equipment.

Cabinets affected by the new GWP limit include Refrigerated multideck displays, Serve-over counters, Commercial upright freezers, Blast Chillers and large Icemakers, as these have previously been manufactured using R404A refrigerant which has a high GWP.

Pentland Wholesale’s suppliers are ahead of the changes, with most of our cabinets now using hydrocarbon refrigerants like R600A and R290, which have a very low GWP (Global Warming Potential). Where the use of Hydrocarbon refrigerants cannot be introduced, the larger capacity cabinets are now using alternative refrigerants like R448A or R452A, which have a lower GWP and comply fully with the latest legislation.

Existing equipment

Please be aware that the refrigerant gas within a system should not need replacing regularly and should last the lifetime of the appliance, the refrigerant will only need replacing if a component or pipework within the refrigeration circuit fails. Pentland Wholesale has done extensive research on the cabinets we supply and found that a suitable lower GWP refrigerant of R452A (XP44) is a suitable drop in refrigerant that can be used in existing and current equipment that was initially manufactured using R404A refrigerant.

Please be aware that all R404A units are not the same, specialist advice should be sought before changing the refrigerant in any system, especially equipment not supplied by Pentland Wholesale Ltd.