F gas rules can sound distant, but they decide which refrigerant goes into your air conditioning and how much it costs to top up. Great Britain still runs on the retained version of Regulation (EU) 517/2014. Northern Ireland follows the EU’s newer rules, so this guide covers England, Scotland and Wales.
The next step in the GB phase-down arrives on 1 January 2027. Here is what is changing, what isn’t, and what it means if you own an R410A system or are planning a new one.
What the phase-down is
The phase-down limits the total amount of HFC refrigerant that producers and importers can place on the GB market each year. It is measured in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), so a refrigerant with a high global warming potential (GWP) uses up more of the quota per kilogram.
The GWP figures are set out in the annexes to Regulation 517/2014. R410A has a GWP of 2,088. R32, used in most new split systems, has a GWP of 675. To work out the tCO2e in a system, multiply the kilograms of refrigerant by the GWP and divide by 1,000. 3 kg of R410A is about 6.3 tCO2e; 3 kg of R32 is about 2.0 tCO2e.
What changes on 1 January 2027
Under the GB regulation, the HFC quota steps down to 24% of the baseline from 1 January 2027. In late 2025 the government consulted on a steeper cut from 2027. In its 15 May 2026 update on GOV.UK, it said it will not legislate in 2026 to change the phasedown steps from 1 January 2027, and that the existing step in Annex 5 of the F gas Regulation will continue to apply. Further reform is still under consideration, so later steps may change.
So the 2027 step is happening as already set in law. It is not an extra ban. It is a tighter cap on supply.
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What it means if you have an R410A system
- Your system remains legal to use. There is no requirement to remove a working R410A system.
- Repairs and top-ups remain legal. An F-Gas certified engineer can still find and fix a leak and recharge with R410A.
- Supply gets tighter. Because R410A has a high GWP, each kilogram uses more quota than a lower-GWP gas. Expect R410A to get scarcer and dearer to buy for top-ups over time.
- Leak checks still apply. Systems with 5 tCO2e or more need leak checks at least every 12 months. Many larger R410A splits and most multi-splits cross that line.
If an R410A system is young and reliable, keep it well maintained. If it is old, leaking repeatedly or needs a major part, read our repair or replace guide before paying for another regas.
What it means for new installations
For homes and small offices, the bigger change has already happened. Since 2025, new single split systems with less than 3 kg of refrigerant can’t use F gases with a GWP above 750. That rules out R410A for new single splits and is why R32 is now standard. Portable air conditioners with HFCs above GWP 150 are already banned.
Larger systems, such as VRF and some multi-splits, are not caught by that single split ban, but the same quota pressure applies to their refrigerant. When you compare quotes for a commercial project, ask which refrigerant each option uses and how much it holds.
Practical steps for owners
- Find your refrigerant type and charge. It is on the outdoor unit’s rating plate and in your F gas records.
- Check whether your system is over 5 tCO2e and, if so, that leak checks are up to date.
- Book regular servicing. Leaks found early use less refrigerant to fix.
- If you run several older systems, plan replacements over a few years rather than waiting for failures in a heatwave.
Our company is F-Gas certified, and every installation and repair we carry out comes with the F gas records you need. For businesses, our F gas guide for businesses covers operator duties in more detail.
Quick answers
Is R410A banned in 2027?
No. R410A is not banned for use or servicing in 2027. The quota of HFCs allowed onto the GB market falls, so supply is likely to tighten.
Do I have to replace my air conditioning because of the phase-down?
No. A working system can stay in use and be repaired. Replacement is a cost and reliability decision, not a legal one.
Does the 2027 change affect Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland follows the EU’s F gas rules, which are different. This guide covers Great Britain.
Will R32 also be affected?
R32 is an HFC too, so it counts against the quota, but its lower GWP means each kilogram uses less of it than R410A.
Related services
- Air conditioning servicing
- Air conditioning regas
- Air conditioning repair
- Air conditioning maintenance contracts
More advice
- R32 vs R410A Refrigerant: What You Need to Know
- R410A and R22 Air Conditioning: Repair or Replace?
- Air Conditioning F-Gas Regulations: What Businesses Must Know
- Air Conditioning Regas: What It Is and When You Need It
- All advice
This guide is general information, checked against the sources linked on 30 October 2026. It isn’t legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, grants and product ranges change, so check the current position before you rely on it.