The F-gas Regulation is becoming stricter – what does it mean for ground source heat pump refrigerants?
The EU’s revised F-gas Regulation is gradually steering the heat pump industry away from synthetic refrigerants with a high climate impact. This means that in the future, an increasing number of new heat pump systems will be equipped with a natural refrigerant, such as R290.
The timelines below apply to brine-to-water heat pumps, such as ground source heat pumps.
Heat pumps below 12 kW
From 2027 onwards, only equipment with a refrigerant GWP below 150 may be placed on the market.
From 2032 onwards, the use of synthetic F-gases in new equipment will be completely prohibited.
Heat pumps from 12 to 50 kW
From 2027 onwards, only equipment with a refrigerant GWP below 150 may be placed on the market.
There is no full ban on F-gases in this category – the use of low-GWP synthetic refrigerants is still permitted, provided that the GWP is below 150.
Heat pumps above 50 kW
From 2030 onwards, only equipment with a refrigerant GWP below 150 may be placed on the market.
There is no full ban on F-gases in this category – the use of low-GWP synthetic refrigerants is still permitted, provided that the GWP is below 150.
It is possible that the regulation of brine-to-water heat pumps above 12 kW will be reviewed again in the future. Under the current regulation, a full ban does not currently apply to this capacity category, as long as the refrigerant used meets the GWP below 150 requirement. The REACH Regulation may also introduce new restrictions for this size category.
What does placing on the market mean in practice?
Manufacturers and importers may no longer place equipment on the market if it does not meet the requirements of the new regulations.
Equipment that has been placed on the market before the new requirements enter into force, and is already in the stock of wholesalers or installation companies, may still be sold and installed after the transition period.
R290 meets the requirements of the new F-gas Regulation
Natural refrigerants, such as R290, have a very low GWP value. They offer a low-climate-impact and long-term solution for heating and cooling buildings.
Gebwell’s G-Eco heat pumps use the natural refrigerant R290. G-Eco is a future-ready solution that already meets the requirements of tomorrow.