F-Gas Regulation
Important information
Overview over the F-Gas Regulation
With SKADEC you have the right partner at your side when it comes to future-oriented and environmentally friendly refrigerants. Propane R290 as refrigerant convinces especially with its very good thermodynamic properties and with a low GWP of . Furthermore it is not affected by the F-Gas Regulation.
Reduction of HFCs
The European Green Deal has set the ambitious target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. To this end, various agreements and regulations have been adopted in recent decades. The latest regulation to come into force, which affects refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology the most, is the F-gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014.
A sticter version of this regulation was adopted in January 2024 and contains even tighter rules. The F-gases put into circulation in the EU in tons of CO2 equivalent are to be reduced to zero by 2050. The reduction in the amount of HFC refrigerants available on the market will inevitably lead to supply bottlenecks and an increase in refrigerant prices, which will force conventional refrigerants out of the market. The aim is to encourage chiller operators to rethink and invest in new technologies with future-proof refrigerants.
Global Warming Potential GWP
Since the ordinance came into force on January 1, 2020, new systems with a filling quantity of 40 t CO₂ equivalent or more may only be filled with refrigerants that have a GWP of less than 2500. A further tightening for new systems came into force on 01.01.2022. New systems in the commercial sector with a capacity of more than 40 kW may only be filled with a refrigerant with a GWP of less than 1500. As an exception to this rule, F-gases with a GWP of less than 1500 may still be used in the primary refrigerant circuit in cascade systems. Further tightening up to a restriction of 150 is expected in the future.
Short-term tightening of the amount of F-gas available
As early as 2030, the available quantity will be limited to 5% instead of the previous reduction to 21%! The switch to natural refrigerants will therefore be significantly accelerated, making a major contribution to environmental protection.
New regulation of HFO refrigerants such as R1234yf and R1234ze
In the future, a recurring leakage test is to be carried out for refrigerants weighing as little as 1 kg. This will also entail extended requirements for specialists and the associated personal certificates.