F-Gas transition accelerates: deadlines and new refrigerants for HVACR

The European F-Gas Regulation 2024/573 , applicable from 11 March 2024, has strengthened the path to reducing fluorinated gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps .

The goal is to progressively reduce the climate impact of HFCs by introducing more restrictive quotas and differentiated bans based on the type and power of the equipment.

For manufacturers, designers, installers, and refrigeration technicians, change doesn't coincide with a single deadline. The regulation defines a timeline that already influences refrigerant selection, circuit design, system safety, and investment planning.

From HFC reductions to equipment bans

GWP, or Global Warming Potential, expresses a gas's contribution to global warming relative to CO₂. Traditionally widespread refrigerants, such as R-410A and R-134a, have high values ​​and are therefore increasingly less compatible with the new European framework.

The regulation operates on two levels . On the one hand, it progressively reduces the quantities of HFCs that can be placed on the European market : the quota schedule foresees a sharp reduction starting from the 2027-2029 period, reaching zero quotas by 2050. On the other hand, it introduces bans on the placing on the market of specific categories of equipment containing refrigerants above certain GWP limits .

This means that evaluating a refrigerant cannot be based solely on current availability. It's also necessary to consider the expected useful life of the system, the evolution of quotas, future maintenance options, and the technology's compatibility with existing deadlines.

The main deadlines for chillers, heat pumps and air conditioning

Among the most important milestones for the HVACR sector are:

• From 1 January 2027 , fluorinated gases with a GWP of 150 or more will not be permitted in chillers up to 12 kW; from the same date, the limit will be set at 750 in chillers above 12 kW;
• from 1 January 2027 , the GWP 150 limit will also apply to stand-alone air conditioning equipment and heat pumps up to 12 kW, as well as air-water split systems of the same power;
• From 1 January 2029 , the GWP 150 limit will be extended to air-to-air split systems up to 12 kW;
• From 1 January 2032 , chillers and stand-alone systems up to 12 kW will no longer be able to use fluorinated gases, except for exemptions provided for safety reasons;
• From 1 January 2035 , the ban on fluorinated gases will also apply to split systems up to 12 kW, subject to safety exceptions.

The deadlines primarily concern the placing on the market and commissioning of new equipment. Existing systems are not automatically prohibited, but their operation must still take into account the applicable provisions regarding maintenance, leak containment, and future refrigerant availability.

Low GWP refrigerants and plant safety

The market is responding with a combination of natural refrigerants and low-GWP fluorinated fluids. Propane R-290, R-32, R-454C, R-513A, and R-1234ze are some of the solutions adopted depending on capacity, system architecture, and operating conditions. However, not all of them represent a definitive solution for every application: some fluorinated fluids can play a transitional role, but remain affected by future bans planned for certain categories.

The choice must therefore consider not only GWP, but also flammability, toxicity, operating pressure, charge, installation location, and personnel skills. Switching to different refrigerants may require changes to design, ventilation, leak detection, emergency management, and maintenance procedures.

For refrigeration professionals, the new F-Gas makes long-term planning essential. Refrigerants must be evaluated alongside energy efficiency, safety, and future compliance of the equipment, avoiding solutions that risk quickly becoming obsolete.