How can installers stay in control of the refrigerant transition?

The new F-gas Regulation has now been in force for more than two years. Yet in practice, we still hear that there is considerable uncertainty. Not because installers do not understand the technology, but because regulations, product deadlines, GWP limits, exceptions and certification can quickly become difficult to navigate. With this article, we want to help clarify the key points.

The main principle is this: an existing system with an older refrigerant is not automatically prohibited. However, the room to continue working with certain refrigerants is gradually becoming smaller. The impact is mainly seen in new installations, maintenance, refrigerant charging, leak checks, registration and professional competence.

1. Start with a system inventory

Control starts with an overview. For each installation, record which refrigerant is present, how many kilograms of refrigerant the system contains, the GWP value, the age of the system, the type of application, and the known maintenance history.

This makes it clear which systems can continue to operate without major concerns, which require extra attention, and which may require replacement or conversion in the long term. A system with a high GWP, a large refrigerant charge, or a history of leaks requires a different approach than a stable system with a limited refrigerant charge.

2. Distinguish between permitted and future-proof

An existing system does not need to be replaced immediately simply because it contains an older refrigerant. In many cases, maintenance remains possible. But being permitted is not the same as being future-proof.

The F-gas Regulation focuses on reducing the amount of F-gases that may be newly placed on the European market. As a result, refrigerants with a high GWP are coming under increasing pressure. Not only from a legal perspective, but also in practical terms. Think of availability, price development and whether a system can still be serviced properly in the years ahead.

3. Pay attention to the rules for charging and maintenance

For installers, the direct impact is mainly found in service and maintenance. For refrigeration equipment, a GWP limit of 2,500 applies to maintenance and service from 2025, with temporary exceptions for recycled or reclaimed refrigerant. For air--conditioning and heat pump equipment, this limit applies as of 2026.

The limits will be tightened further in the years ahead. As a result, refrigerant charging will become less straightforward. Repair remains possible, but it will more often need to be weighed against availability, cost, leakage risk and the remaining service life of the installation.

4. Look beyond GWP alone

GWP is important, but it is not the only factor. Good advice also considers TEWI (Total Equivalent Warming Impact). This looks at the total climate impact of an installation over its lifetime. It includes direct emissions, for example, through leakage or refrigerant loss during maintenance, as well as indirect emissions from the installation's energy use.

This is important because a system with a low-GWP refrigerant is not automatically the best choice if its energy performance is lower. Efficiency, reliability, and leak tightness therefore remain just as relevant as the refrigerant's GWP value.

5. Include safety and flammability in the decision

The transition to alternative refrigerants also requires attention to safety. Refrigerants are classified into safety classes. A1 stands for non-flammable, A2L for mildly flammable, A2 for flammable, and A3 for highly flammable or explosive. The A indicates that the refrigerant is non-toxic. Ammonia is a well-known exception here.

This classification partly determines where and how a refrigerant can be applied safely. Consider the practical limit, room volume, ventilation, refrigerant charge, accessibility, and the application itself. A natural refrigerant such as propane has a very low GWP, but due to its A3 classification, it requires appropriate safety measures.

6. Make sure certification and registration are in order

The regulation is not only about refrigerants, but also about professional competence. In addition to F-gases, there is increasing emphasis on certification for natural refrigerants such as CO₂, ammonia and hydrocarbons. Registration, leak checks, recovery and correct refrigerant charging also remain essential.

The real risk does not lie in encountering an older refrigerant, but in incorrect handling. This includes working without the right certification, incorrect charging, missing leak checks or insufficient registration.

The refrigerant transition does not call for panic, but for structured craftsmanship. Those who have a clear view of installations, refrigerants, safety and obligations can make well-founded decisions. This keeps the technology manageable, the regulation workable and the continuity of installations secured.