HomePlumbingBathroomsSpecialty BusinessAbout UsStore FinderAccount Login
HVAC-R Home | Refrigeration Home

Degrees - HVAC-R and Refrigeration Latest News
Levy

Levy Up. Rebate Down.

On 1 October 2008, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia is increasing the levy on the sale of new refrigerants and reducing the rebate on recovered refrigerant.

The levy on new ozone depleting and synthetic greenhouse gas refrigerants will rise to $2.00 per kilogram, and the rebate paid to contractors for recovered refrigerant will fall to $3.00 per kilogram.

The decision, according to Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, is based on the need to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of a low cost industry-wide product stewardship scheme that meets Australian regulatory and environmental requirements.

The amount of unwanted and contaminated refrigerant recovered by the industry has been more or less doubling every three years. This financial year it totalled 470 tonnes. Current projections indicate that 1,000 tonnes will be recovered annually in just five years, which will double the cost of the program (and regardless of the amounts recovered, costs are always increasing).

Last year $2.1 million was paid out in rebates to contractors, up from $0.6 million five years ago. And there’s a lot more to come. There are about seven million split air conditioners installed in Australia that will need to come out of service in the next 10 to 15 years, with many retaining most of their refrigerant charge. It’s estimated that there’s still about 31,100 tonnes out there, so the product stewardship program will need to be operating a long way into the future to ensure the industry is able to meet its obligations.

The long-term viability of the program depends on its continuing ability to manage this increased burden. Which of course, means more money. It always comes down to money.

For further information please go to www.refrigerantreclaim.com.au