GREEN MATTERS Navigating the F-gas maze
With the next wave of updates to the F-gas Regulation now in force, the spotlight is once again on competencies across the refrigeration and air conditioning (AC) industry. Dean Skerratt, business development director for Climate Centre, explores what installers and specifi ers need to know to remain compliant and confi dent as the rules evolve.
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Whether it’s choosing between refrigerants for a cold store or advising on system redesigns for future compliance, access to practical, up-to-date advice is invaluable.
ver the past two decades, refrigeration and air conditioning professionals have faced a steady stream of regulatory changes, each with the same end goal:
reducing emissions and supporting the UK’s net-zero ambitions. Refrigerants, in particular, have been at the centre of these changes, and the pace isn’t slowing. The original EU F-gas Regulation came into eff ect in 2006, with a strong focus on containment and maintenance. This was followed by a second version in 2014, which introduced the fi rst real phase-down of high-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants. A third and stricter version was adopted in the EU in January 2024, setting the stage for further restrictions in the coming years.
Although the UK is no longer bound by EU rules, the
direction of travel remains similar. DEFRA has been consulting on a UK-specifi c version of F-Gas III, expected to take eff ect in 2027. It is likely to follow a similar model to the EU regulation, meaning that installers, specifi ers, and end-users must act now to adapt to the new expectations. Among the key changes already in place is the restriction on single split-system air conditioning units. As of 1 January 2025, any new AC split unit containing less than 3kg of F-gases must use a refrigerant with a GWP below 750. This eff ectively ends the use of widely adopted refrigerants, such as R410A (GWP 2080), in new systems of this type. While existing systems and distributor stock sold before the deadline are exempt, the change has signifi cant implications for the design, selection, and installation of new equipment. Manufacturers and installers are already pivoting toward alternatives such as R32 and R290, both of which bring new challenges, primarily around safety, as they are classifi ed as A2L (lower fl ammability) and A3 (higher fl ammability), respectively. The introduction of fl ammable refrigerants into everyday air conditioning and refrigeration systems is perhaps the most signifi cant shift that engineers must now navigate.
Commercial and heavy commercial refrigeration
The F-gas Regulation is not limited to AC. By 2030, the average GWP of refrigerants placed on the market must fall below 400. To hit this target, commercial and industrial sectors must now adopt lower GWP refrigerants across all applications. In commercial refrigeration, blends such as R455A and R454C – both under 150 GWP – are key alternatives. In heavier
18 June 2025 •
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commercial systems, R454A, with a GWP of 238, provides a viable solution. All three belong to the A2L category, meaning they are classed as low fl ammable, but they maintain similar pressure characteristics to the high-GWP A1 refrigerants they replace, such as R448A and R449A. However, switching refrigerants is not as simple as a like- for-like replacement. Performance varies: for instance, R454C has approximately 8% less capacity compared to R404A, while R455A is a closer match. Selecting the proper refrigerant is critical, and it must be done with both thermodynamic properties and system compatibility in mind.
Understanding A2Ls
One of the biggest technical shifts is the move toward refrigerants with signifi cant glide – a term that refers to the temperature range over which a zeotropic refrigerant blend evaporates or condenses. A2L refrigerants like R454C, R455A, and R454A are blends with glide ranging from 5K to 10K. This has important implications when selecting and sizing equipment. Unlike azeotropic refrigerants like R32, which evaporate at a single temperature and have zero glide, A2Ls require consideration of midpoint temperatures to ensure correct evaporator sizing. If incorrectly selected, systems may exhibit lower air-
off temperatures, leading to increased latent cooling and unintended product dehydration. This is particularly important in applications such as blast chilling of meat, where product integrity is crucial. In such settings, a refrigerant with low glide, such as R454A, may be preferred. Another essential consideration is control. Electronic
expansion valves (EEVs) are strongly recommended with high- glide refrigerants to maintain accurate superheat control. Low or unstable superheat can result in liquid refrigerant
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