Goodbye to Air Conditioners Using This Refrigerant: EU Bans Their Use

EU’s Refrigerant Regulation Changes Starting 2027

From 2027, the European Union will enforce stringent new limits on the usage of certain refrigerants, profoundly affecting heat pumps and air conditioning systems.
Fluorinated gases, notorious for their significant environmental impact, are at the core of a new regulation that drastically reduces their use.
Among the most common refrigerants, R32 will be progressively banned for certain applications, necessitating the adoption of more eco-friendly alternatives.

Why Ban Refrigerants Like R32?

Refrigerants are essential for the operation of air conditioning systems and heat pumps.
However, not all refrigerants share the same sustainability profile.
R32 was chosen for its lower environmental impact compared to earlier refrigerants such as R410A.
Despite this, the European Commission has determined that R32 must be phased out for various types of equipment since its global warming potential remains too high.

Starting in 2027, the ban will apply to air-to-water monobloc heat pumps with a capacity of up to 50 kW, typically installed in residences and small buildings.
The alternative for these systems is propane (R290), a refrigerant with a significantly lower climate impact that also enhances the operational efficiency of devices.

What Changes for Air Conditioning Systems?

The use of R32 will still be permitted for a few years in air conditioning systems and air-to-air heat pumps, but deadlines are set for its phased elimination.
According to the new F-Gas Regulation, the use of gases with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) exceeding 150 will be prohibited for monobloc air conditioners and autonomous heat pumps up to 12 kW starting in 2027, with a complete ban expected by 2032.
Split systems, which are prevalent in residential settings, will also face a gradual ban based on their capacity and refrigerant volume, culminating in a full phase-out by 2035.

Alternatives to R32

With R32 on the way out, the industry is shifting towards alternatives such as propane (R290), already utilized in air-to-water heat pumps.
This refrigerant is more efficient: less propane is needed to achieve the same effect compared to R32, thus reducing the workload on systems and enhancing their longevity.
Furthermore, R290 allows operation at higher temperatures, a plus in renovation or new construction applications.

However, propane comes with safety limitations.
Being flammable, its use becomes more complex in traditional air conditioning units that typically distribute refrigerant within living spaces.
Thus, adopting R290 for these systems will require technical advancements and specific regulations to ensure safety.

Maintenance and Use of Heat Pumps with R32

Owners of heat pumps using R32 aren’t required to immediately replace their systems.
As long as the system is properly maintained, it can continue to function until the end of its life cycle.
R32 can still be used to recharge existing installations, ensuring service continuity without the immediate need to transition to other refrigerants.
However, the switch to greener alternatives will be encouraged, particularly for new installations and those subject to regulatory constraints.

F-Gas Regulation and New Measures Against Harmful Refrigerants

The new F-Gas Regulation aims to drastically reduce the usage of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) across multiple sectors.
Notably, three key points stand out:

• Starting in 2025, the use of fluorinated gases with a GWP exceeding 750 will be banned for monosplit systems with less than 3 kg of refrigerant.
• From 2027, refrigerants with a GWP higher than 150 will be banned for monobloc air conditioners below 12 kW, with those up to 750 allowed only if no safer alternatives exist.
• The ban will extend to all split heat pumps starting in 2035, with some exemptions for safety reasons.

Looking Ahead

Eliminating high climate impact refrigerants such as R32 represents a crucial stride toward environmental sustainability.
For consumers, this transition might necessitate changing habits and investing in new systems over time, while businesses will need to adapt to the new regulations by providing safer and more sustainable solutions.
Propane and other low-GWP refrigerants are currently leading the alternative charge, although this transition will require careful attention both technically and regulatively.

The European regulation aims to achieve the ambitious goal of reducing emissions while ensuring user safety and fostering gradual innovation in the air conditioning and refrigeration sectors.