Aircon scrapping scheme to be introduced?

You must have been living under a rock if you haven’t heard about the UK car scrappage scheme in which consumers are offered £2,000 towards a new car or van if they trade in a 10-year-old vehicle, which they have owned for 12 months or more.

This seems like a great idea. The government are helping revitalise the struggling car industry with financial incentives and are purging our streets of old inefficient equipment all in one stroke.

So why don’t we have a similar scheme? Imagine the scene. If you rip out your old inefficient R22 system and replace it with a new efficient HFC system the government would give you a cash incentive. Again, this would be a shot in the arm for the industry and would rid our streets of old inefficient kit.

Okay, great idea, but whose going to call Gordon? And if someone does, will he listen?

Some comparatives first, though.

In 2008 the UK car industry was worth £36bn, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (the number of new cars sold in the UK was 2.4m at an average price of £14,000).

For the same year the UK air conditioning market was £380m. Our industry is only 1 per cent of the value of the car industry. Imagine the scene if one of our big guns is in a meeting with Gordon and the ceo of Ford. Our man will be allowed to ask Gordon only one question: one lump or two, Gordon?

Gordon being a renowned accountant will do the maths and in the spirit of prudence will offer 1 per cent of the car scheme - so that’s a tenner for ripping out the R22 kit.

Maybe it’s not such a great scheme after all - ho hum!

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