The Refrigerant Phase-Down Explained
What the HFC phase-down means for businesses with air conditioning and heat pumps, and how to plan for it.
Last reviewed 11/10/2026 · General guidance, not legal advice
Why refrigerants are being phased down
HFC refrigerants have high global warming potential, so leaks contribute to climate change. To reduce emissions, Great Britain is cutting the quantity of HFCs placed on the market in stages, measured in CO₂ equivalent, with the aim of a 79% reduction by 2030 compared with the 2015 baseline. In late 2025 the government also consulted on tightening the phase-down further from 2027.
Because the cuts are measured in CO₂e, refrigerants with the highest GWP are affected most. That drives the market towards lower-GWP alternatives and can push up the cost of servicing older equipment.
Common refrigerants compared
| Refrigerant | Typical use | GWP (approx.) | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| R22 | Older systems (pre-2004) | 1,810 (also ozone-depleting) | Cannot be used for servicing; replace |
| R407C | Older splits, some chillers | 1,774 | Increasing cost; plan replacement |
| R410A | Most splits and VRF from mid-2000s to around 2020 | 2,088 | Still widely in use; supply tightening; banned in new small single splits since 2025 |
| R32 | Most new splits and many VRF/heat pumps | 675 | Current mainstream choice |
| R290 (propane) | Some heat pumps and monoblocs | Very low | Growing use; flammability considered in design |
| CO₂ (R744) | Some heat pumps and hot water | 1 | Niche but growing |
What it means for your equipment
- Existing R410A systems can continue to be serviced, but refrigerant may become more expensive and leaks more costly to put right
- R22 systems cannot be recharged and should be replaced, ideally before a failure
- New equipment increasingly uses R32 or natural refrigerants, so check what’s proposed and why
- Leak prevention becomes more valuable as refrigerant costs rise
Planning ahead
A refrigerant review of your estate, listing each system, its refrigerant, charge, age and condition, lets you plan replacements over several budget years instead of reacting to failures. It also feeds directly into your F-Gas records. We can carry out this review as part of a maintenance contract.
Need help with compliance?
Site surveys, written proposals and maintenance contracts across East Anglia.
Questions about this topic
Do we have to replace our R410A system?
No, R410A systems can still be operated and serviced. But costs may rise over time, so planning replacement on your own schedule is sensible.
Is R32 future-proof?
R32 has a much lower GWP than R410A and is the current mainstream choice, though lower-GWP options continue to develop.
What should we do with an R22 system?
Plan replacement. R22 can’t be used for servicing, so any refrigerant leak or repair usually means replacement.