Regulatory change
HVAC before 2027. Which equipment faces the next F-gas restrictions?
Restriction dates depend on equipment design, capacity and refrigerant. Selected changes to consider when quoting air conditioning and heat pumps.
Saying that a type of heat pump will be banned from 2027 explains little without further detail. F-gas regulations depend on equipment design, capacity and the refrigerant's global warming potential, abbreviated GWP.
For installers quoting work for the following year, this is a reason to check the precise model and its status with the supplier. A product range's trade name may not be enough.
Selected dates relevant to smaller installations
The European Commission identifies the following restrictions, among others, for equipment using fluorinated greenhouse gases. This table contains selected entries, not the entire timetable. European Commission
| Category | Threshold specified in the restriction | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Self-contained equipment, including monoblocs, up to and including 12 kW | GWP of at least 150 | 1 January 2027 |
| Monoblocs and other self-contained equipment above 12 kW up to and including 50 kW | GWP of at least 150 | 1 January 2027 |
| Air-to-water split systems up to and including 12 kW | GWP of at least 150 | 1 January 2027 |
| Air-to-air split systems up to and including 12 kW | GWP of at least 150 | 1 January 2029 |
Exceptions relate to safety requirements at the place of operation. Applying them requires reference to the specific provision and installation conditions. The table is not a list of models automatically permitted or prohibited for installation.
Placing on the market versus operation
Annex IV to EU Regulation 2024/573 concerns prohibitions on placing products and equipment on the market. It does not automatically require every existing installation to shut down on the stated date. Rules on further supply of previously placed equipment and servicing, including refrigerant use, require separate assessment. EUR-Lex
Make this distinction clear to customers too. A forthcoming restriction does not by itself justify saying a functioning appliance needs immediate replacement.
Questions for the supplier
A practical checklist covers refrigerant designation, declared GWP, equipment category, capacity and documents confirming the planned supply can proceed. Establish parts availability and servicing conditions for the exact model as well.
Offers should be compared over the whole operating life. A lower purchase price may be attractive, but the customer should understand the product and the basis for recommending it. Precise model information is more useful than a general slogan about green technology.
Prepared as of 30 October 2026. For a particular appliance, the full scope of relevant provisions and exceptions is decisive.
Sources and access dates
- Air conditioning: climate-friendly alternatives to F-gasesEuropean Commission · Accessed: 30/10/2026
- Regulation (EU) 2024/573, particularly Article 11 and Annex IVEUR-Lex · Accessed: 30/10/2026