In Nigeria, the increasing demand for air conditioners has led to environmental concerns due to the improper handling of cooling gases. Despite regulations prohibiting the release of these gases into the atmosphere, enforcement remains a significant challenge.
Technicians often lack proper training and awareness of the environmental impact of refrigerants. This results in common practices like releasing gases into the air during installations or refills, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
The most common refrigerant used in Africa, R-22, is being phased out by Nigeria by 2030 due to its high global warming potential. However, lax enforcement raises doubts about meeting this target.
Newer air conditioners using hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are less harmful to the ozone but still potent greenhouse gases. The transition to these models faces obstacles such as higher costs and limited availability in African markets.
Similar challenges exist in other African countries like Ghana and Kenya, where poor servicing practices and lack of enforcement of regulations persist. The demand for cooling systems is growing in these countries, emphasizing the need for improved training and compliance with environmental standards.
Efforts to promote energy-efficient alternatives like R-290 are underway, but barriers such as cost and safety concerns hinder widespread adoption. Increased awareness among stakeholders and stricter enforcement of regulations are crucial steps towards mitigating the environmental impact of the cooling industry in Africa.
While progress is being made gradually, more concerted efforts are needed to address the challenges faced by the cooling industry in Nigeria and across the continent.
