At the heart of the changes are updates to the UK’s F-Gas Regulations, which are designed to reduce global emissions from fluorinated greenhouse gases used in air conditioning, heat pump and HVAC systems.

From 1 January 2025, the UK has introduced a ban on the sale of new single-split air conditioning systems that contain refrigerants with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 750 or more. This effectively means older high-GWP refrigerants such as R-410A and many R-407 blends can no longer be offered in new installations with small charge sizes.

To put that in context:

• R-410A (GWP ~2,088) — commonly used in many older residential and light commercial AC installs — can no longer be sold in new units from 2025.
• New systems will need to use refrigerants such as R-32 (GWP ~675) or R-290 (propane) (very low GWP), subject to safety and training requirements.

These changes reflect the implementation of international climate agreements and updates to F-Gas rules that both the EU and UK have adopted. The regulations also set out a longer timeline for future bans on other refrigerants and equipment categories up to 2035.

You might be thinking: “If this only affects new units, why does it matter for quoting?”

Here’s the reality for UK HVAC installation businesses:

Equipment choice affects pricing

Low-GWP refrigerants often require different equipment designs, charge sizes, and sometimes additional safety measures. That means: your material cost estimates change, labour and training considerations may change and overall install time can be affected

All of this needs to be reflected in your air conditioning quote — otherwise you risk underpricing jobs or losing margin.

Customers are more likely to ask about refrigerant types

Increasingly, homeowners and business clients are becoming aware of low-GWP refrigerants and asking which types you use. This changes the way you position systems in initial conversations and quotes.

Warranty and future-proofing expectations are rising

Customers often ask whether a quoted system is “future-compliant”. Knowing the 2025 ban and being able to explain why a system uses R-32 rather than R-410A gives confidence in your professionalism.

Taken together, it means refrigerant knowledge is no longer a technical detail tucked away in paperwork. It’s part of the client conversation and a core aspect of accurate, compliant quoting.

While 2025 was the first major milestone, further restrictions are already mapped out in the F-Gas regulation timeline. For example:

• More stringent GWP limits on split air-to-water and split air-to-air systems are set for 2027 and 2029.

• By 2032–2035, many categories will require even lower-GWP refrigerants or alternative technologies where safety requirements allow.

These phased changes underline a longer-term shift in the HVAC industry toward environmentally sustainable refrigerants. While this transition is good for emissions, it also means installers should plan quoting strategies around equipment and refrigerant availability for years to come.