This method doesn't require a lot of data collection but there is a reasonable amount of uncertainty surrounding the emission factors. There is significant regulation surrounding this including record keeping so this information should be available.
If you do not already have the relevant data then you will need to:
Carry out an inventory of equipment onsite to find out:
1. The number and types of each refrigeration unit
2. The type of refrigerant used (e.g. HFC 134a, R404a, R407a, R407b, R407c, R410A, etc)
3. The total charge capacity of each piece of equipment (charge capacity is the mass of refrigerant used in a refrigerator or other cooling equipment);
4. The time in years used during the reporting period - one year (e.g.6/12 if used only during half of the reporting period then disposed)
This table gives an idea of the typical charge capacity for some equipment.
|
Typical Charge Capacity for Equipment |
|
|
Type of Equipment |
Typical Range in Charge Capacity (kg) |
|
Domestic Refrigeration |
0.05 - 0.5 |
|
Stand-alone Commercial Applications |
0.2 – 6 |
|
Medium & Large Commercial Applications |
50 - 2,000 |
|
Transport Refrigeration |
3 to 8 |
|
Industrial Refrigeration (inc. food processing and cold storage) |
10 - 10,000 |
|
Chillers |
10 - 2,000 |
|
Residential and Commercial A/C including Heat Pumps |
0.5 - 100 |
|
Mobile Air Conditioning |
0.5 - 1.5 |
Information on refrigerant type and kg of charge can be found at:
(a) Air conditioning chillers and modular units: visual readings on the equipment, equipment manuals or maintenance records;
(b) Refrigeration units: visual readings on the equipment
Determine installation emissions
Identify any new equipment that was installed during the reporting period and was charged (filled) on-site. Emissions from equipment that was charged at the manufacturer are not the responsibility of your organisation.
In the first table select the relevant type of equipment; add in the number of units and the charge capacity. Then select the refrigerant type from the drop down list and the KgCO2e column will calculate.
Determine operating emissions
This step estimates losses from equipment leaks and service losses over the life of the equipment.
Enter the data the same as the previous table. You will also need to determine the length of time (in a proportion of the year – this can be entered as number of months/12) that each piece of equipment has been used.
Determine disposal emissions
Identify any pieces of equipment that were disposed of on-site during the reporting period. Emissions from equipment that was sent offsite for third party recycling, reclamation or disposal are not the responsibility of your organisation.
