The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has reported a spate of irresponsible online sales of air conditioning equipment to members of the public as the UK grapples with its third official heatwave of the year.
Record-high temperatures in June prompted a spike in online searches for cooling products. Despite specialised cooling equipment being subject to sales restrictions, BESA members are reporting installation enquiries from members of the public who have already bought units from online retailers.
Some online marketplaces reported that requests for air conditioning installations were up by more than 300% at the start of July. With the UK now in the grip of repeated hot spells, the industry is braced for another rise in demand.
BESA, which runs REFCOM, the UK’s leading F-Gas certification body responsible for maintaining professional standards in the sector, said products containing refrigerant gases continue to be purchased by DIY users and unqualified installers.
Some of these gases require specialist handling and may present a flammability risk if equipment is improperly installed or used. Sales have continued despite repeated warnings and the potential safety risks to people and property.
The Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for enforcing the F-Gas regime. This includes measures to protect the public by requiring retailers to sell equipment charged with refrigerant gas only when they have evidence that it will be installed by a properly qualified engineer.
The EA has successfully prosecuted online sellers in the past for failing to establish the credentials of buyers, but the practice has continued and recently accelerated again, according to BESA.
“Most professional merchants and wholesalers are well aware of their obligations and take a responsible approach, but online sales remain something of an Achilles heel,” said the Association’s technical director, Kevin Morrissey.
“Anyone selling specialised air conditioning and heat pump equipment must be able to prove they received confirmation from the buyer that the equipment would be installed by someone holding a valid F-Gas handling certificate or by an F-Gas registered contractor,” Morrissey added.
He said there was “genuine frustration” among certified companies that invest in training to ensure their technical skills remain up to date, while less responsible individuals carry out uncertified installations and undercut the market.
REFCOM members also complain about the lack of an adequate deterrent, with only limited enforcement of the law by the EA.
“They are seriously worried that the safety situation could deteriorate as our climate gets progressively warmer, prompting more domestic consumers to look for low-cost solutions online,” said Morrissey.
“The safety issue will only become more serious as the industry transitions to more equipment charged with flammable refrigerants, including R290 propane.”
BESA said it was also aware of reports that some buyers had attempted to misuse the details of certified businesses when purchasing equipment online.
However, the REFCOM register does not publish the information required to verify a company’s F-Gas certification for sales compliance purposes. REFCOM said it had no evidence that information held within its systems had been accessed improperly.
REFCOM added that it processes personal data “in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation”.