How will the Carbon Tax in Australia effect Refrigerant pricing? 
The new Carbon Tax is due to commence on the 1st of July 2012. The price per tonne of synthetic greenhouse gas will be based on the carbon price and the global warming potential for each gas relative to carbon dioxide. For 2012-13 the carbon price is $23 per tonne, with this increasing to $24.15 in 203-14 and $25.40 in 2014-15.
Below is a list of the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the most common refrigerants:
R134a = 1,300
R410a = 1,890
R404a = 3,850
R407a = 1,620
This price will apply to bulk refrigerants and air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, including domestic, commercial and vehicle air conditioners and domestic and commercial refrigerators and freezers.
The purpose of this levy is to give the industry a price incentive to reduce the use of HFC refrigerant leakage and to adopt cleaner low GWP technologies.
Low GWP refrigerants such as the 3 Natural Refrigerants (CO2, Ammonia and Hydrocarbons) will not be affected by the new Carbon Tax.
Natural Refrigerants have been proven in air conditioning and refrigeration systems worldwide. For almost a decade, some of the worlds largest multinational organisations have recognised and committed to reduce their emissions by adopting low GWP HVACR solutions. These include: Unilever, Coca Cola, McDonalds, PepsiCo, Woolworths etc… For more information please see their website www.refrigerantsnaturally.com
Manufacturers have been preparing and supplying a number of their products for these low GWP refrigerants for some time. These large suppliers include Bitzer, Danfoss, Mayekawa, Emerson, GEA and Johnstonne Controls.
Oz-Chill has 3 natural refrigerant blends which have Low GWP’s and are direct replacements for some of the most common chemical refrigerants in use today, including R134a, R22, R12, R404, R407, R502 etc…
These refrigerants are simple drop in replacements, which are compatible with most common lubricants and oils. They reduce system head pressures and also reduce the systems power consumption.
For more information on the new Carbon Tax please see:
www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/synthetic-greenhouse-gases
www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture
or call the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Population and Communities on 1800 803 772.
Tags: carbon tax, hydrocarbons, natural refrigerants, Oz-Chill, r290
