And what does it mean?
R410A refrigerant is being phased out in the UK as part of the European Union's F-Gas regulation, which aims to reduce the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) that contribute to global warming. R410A has a high global warming potential and is being phased out in favor of refrigerants with a lower global warming potential. Refrigerant is the fluid which is circulated around the your a/c system; it is sometimes called 'gas' or 'freon. The former is a generic industry name, the latter is a trade name from a specific manufacturer.
The phase-out of R410A began in 2015, and the EU has set targets to gradually reduce the amount of F-gases that can be sold and used in the EU, including the UK. Specifically, the EU has set a target to reduce the supply of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) by 79% by 2030 compared to average levels in 2009-2012.
In the UK, a ban on the use of virgin R410A refrigerant for servicing and maintaining air conditioning and refrigeration systems came into effect on January 1st, 2020. This means that only reclaimed or recycled R410A refrigerant can be used for servicing and maintaining existing systems. From January 1st, 2025, a ban on the use of all HFC refrigerants, including R410A, will come into effect for new equipment and systems with a few exceptions.
Therefore, it is important for individuals and businesses to start planning for the transition away from R410A to alternative refrigerants or more efficient air conditioning systems to comply with the regulations and reduce their environmental impact.
If you own or operate systems using R410a, then you really should be making plans for their replacement in the next financial year or two. Please do get in touch and we can talk a little more about your options.
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