If you work in HVAC or facilities management in the UK, you’ve probably heard that “R410A is being phased out”. But what does that actually mean for your business? Is it banned? Is it unavailable? Can you still buy it? This article sets out the facts about R410A’s status under UK F-Gas regulations in 2025.
The Short Answer
R410A is not banned. It remains available for servicing existing AC installations in the UK. However, R410A is subject to the UK F-Gas phase-down, which progressively reduces the quota of high-GWP fluorinated gases that can be placed on the UK market each year. This means supply is tightening, prices are rising, and no new equipment is manufactured using R410A.
What Is the UK F-Gas Phase-Down?
The UK retained EU Regulation 517/2014 (the F-Gas Regulation) after Brexit, creating UK-specific F-Gas legislation that mirrors the EU framework. The regulation implements a quota-based phase-down of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) based on their Global Warming Potential (GWP) expressed in CO₂-equivalent tonnes.
Under this system:
- Producers and importers of F-Gases are allocated annual quotas in CO₂-equivalent tonnes
- Gases with higher GWPs consume more quota per kilogram — R410A (GWP 2,088) consumes three times more quota than R32 (GWP 675) per kg
- Quota allocations decrease progressively over time, reducing total supply
- The phase-down creates a market mechanism that drives the transition to lower-GWP alternatives
Why Was R410A Targeted?
R410A has a GWP of 2,088 — more than 2,000 times the global warming impact of CO₂ over 100 years. In a domestic split AC system with a 900g charge, a complete loss of refrigerant to atmosphere would have the CO₂-equivalent impact of driving a petrol car approximately 3,700 miles.
As the dominant AC refrigerant globally for two decades, R410A represented a significant portion of the total F-Gas emissions from the built environment. The phase-down regulations specifically targeted HFCs with GWPs above 1,000, of which R410A is the largest-volume example in the HVAC sector.
What Happened to New R410A Equipment?
From January 2025, pre-charged split AC units with a GWP above 750 were banned from the EU market. The UK’s own regulations followed a similar trajectory. This effectively ended the sale of new R410A-based residential and light commercial AC equipment in the UK market.
All major AC manufacturers — Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, Panasonic, Samsung, LG, Toshiba and others — had already completed their transition to R32 well before this deadline. New residential split systems have used R32 as standard since approximately 2016–2019 depending on brand and product line.
R410A for Service Use: What the Rules Say
The phase-down applies to new equipment and the supply of bulk refrigerant under quota. It does not impose a date-specific ban on using R410A to service existing installations. The regulatory intent is to allow the existing installed base of R410A equipment to be serviced through its natural lifecycle while preventing further expansion.
In practice, this means:
- You can still buy R410A in the UK if you hold valid F-Gas certification (Category I or II)
- R410A for service and maintenance of existing systems remains legal
- R410A availability and price will be affected by tightening quota allocations over time
- Suppliers like Refrigerant Gas Supplies Ltd maintain compliant R410A stock for service engineers
The Installed Base Problem
The UK has a very large installed base of R410A equipment — millions of residential and commercial AC units installed between approximately 2000 and 2023. These systems have typical lifespans of 12–20 years, meaning many will remain in service into the mid-to-late 2030s and beyond.
HVAC service businesses that maintain this installed base will continue to need R410A for top-ups and leak repairs for the foreseeable future. Businesses should:
- Maintain appropriate R410A stock from reliable, F-Gas compliant suppliers
- Ensure engineers hold current F-Gas Category I or II certification
- Advise customers with older R410A systems to plan for replacement with R32 equipment at end-of-life
- Build R32 expertise and stock for new installations
Buying R410A in the UK in 2025
Refrigerant Gas Supplies Ltd supplies R410A in 10 kg refillable steel cylinders with 99.9% purity and next-day mainland UK delivery. F-Gas Category I or II certification is required to purchase.
For new installations, our R32 9kg cylinder is the standard choice. Browse our full refrigerant gas range for all available cylinders including R404A, R134a, R1234yf and R407C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is R410A banned in the UK?
R410A is not banned in the UK. It remains legal for service and maintenance of existing installations under UK F-Gas regulations. However, it is subject to the F-Gas phase-down quota system, meaning available supply is being reduced annually. New equipment using R410A is no longer manufactured.
When will R410A be phased out completely in the UK?
There is no set date for a complete R410A phase-out for service use. The phase-down reduces supply quotas progressively. R410A for servicing existing systems will likely remain available through the late 2020s and into the 2030s as the installed base is gradually replaced by R32 equipment.
What is replacing R410A in UK air conditioning?
R32 (GWP 675) is the primary replacement for R410A (GWP 2,088) in new UK air conditioning systems. All major manufacturers including Daikin, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu and Samsung now use R32 as standard in new residential and commercial split AC systems.
Can I still buy R410A refrigerant in the UK?
Yes. R410A is still available in the UK for F-Gas certified engineers and registered companies. Refrigerant Gas Supplies Ltd supplies R410A in 10 kg refillable cylinders for service and maintenance use with next-day mainland UK delivery. Call +44 7988 028925 for trade pricing.