In the process of repairing a Meaco dehumidifier I asked the manufacturer if I coud get a replacement fan blower that had failed. This was the response I got, which is similar to a previous post I found on the forum but slightly more explicit
“Unfortunately, We do not send spare parts out because it is illegal for us to do so, because under the Right to Repair law we are not allowed to send parts out because compressor dehumidifiers are flammable and they must not be worked on by anyone who is not F-Gas registered.”
Does this mean it is illegal for anyone not F-Gas registered to repair these dehumidifiers?
If not, can they use this excuse to prevent the possibility of repairing these humidifiers?
Just to be clear, I am only looking to repair the fan, not the compressor and gas filled system which is fine.
It sounds like the supplier is muddling the Gas Safe regulations and the F-Gas by mentioning “flammable”. Fluorinated (the F in F-gas) refrigerants have low flammability. Unfortunately the government guidance requires certification for servicing and maintenance of systems containing fluorinated gases, without specifying what part is being serviced. The regulation is because they are powerful greenhouse gases. Still, it is not the suppliers responsibility to vet repairers, so they are probably being excessively cautious or obstructive. You can buy gas boiler service parts at Screwfix without question.
Hmmm … that’s interesting: I remember being told many years ago that Jewson would “grass” you to the relevant regulator if you tried to buy gas parts without a Corgi (as it was then) certification.
That may have been an urban legend, though.
I’ve seen a similar thing with electrical appliances: they asked for a Part P certificate before they would sell me spare parts, even though no such qualification is legally needed to repair an appliance.
You could argue that they are just being careful, but it certainly feels like they are being obstructive.