The HVAC sector is undergoing a profound transformation. The overarching objective is clear: to drastically reduce the climate impact of refrigerant gases without halting technological progress or the evolution of comfort in residential, commercial and industrial buildings, as well as in data centres.

At the heart of this change lies the update to the European F-Gas Regulation.

But what exactly is changing for professionals and consumers? And how is the market already responding? Let’s find out together...

F-Gas: cos'è?

F-Gases: what are they?
F-gases, or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are the refrigerants that have historically been most widely used in air conditioning systems and heat pumps. Introduced in the 1990s to replace substances responsible for the hole in the ozone layer (such as CFCs and HCFCs), HFCs solved one problem but highlighted another: the greenhouse effect.

Their impact on global warming is measured using the GWP (Global Warming Potential), a reference value in which CO₂ is assigned a value of 1. The higher a gas’s GWP, the more heat it traps in the atmosphere in the event of leaks or dispersal. The current European legislative framework is governed by Regulation (EU) 2024/573, which came into force to update and further tighten the provisions of the previous 2014 directive.

Why is change necessary?

Traditional refrigerants with a high GWP (such as R-410A and R-134a) are no longer sustainable in the long term due to their emissions impact.

1 – Rising emissions

Fluorinated gases account for around 2.5 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union, a figure that doubled between 1990 and 2014.

2 – Scientific targets

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has recommended a global reduction of 90% in F-gas emissions by 2050 compared with pre-climate crisis baseline levels.

3 – 2050 target

In line with the European Green Deal and the European Climate Law, Europe is aiming for complete climate neutrality and the phasing out of fluorinated refrigerants by mid-century.

4 - PFAS

Some of the new environmentally friendly (low-GWP) refrigerant gases tend to break down in the air, transforming into TFA (trifluoroacetic acid). This acid does not dissolve but accumulates in the environment and in living organisms, with potential toxic effects on human health.

The European Regulation and Plan

From 2027: For new residential heat pumps and monobloc air-conditioning units up to 12 kW, only refrigerants with a GWP of 150 or less will be permitted. The same limit (GWP < 150) will apply to compact chillers up to 12 kW.
From 2029: The GWP < 150 requirement will also extend to residential split systems (air-to-air) below 12 kW.
From 2032: A total ban on the use of F-gases (including HFCs and HFOs) in monobloc systems and chillers up to 12 kW.
From 2035: For new split systems below 12 kW, only the use of fully ‘fluorine-free’ refrigerants will be permitted.
Existing systems, however, will continue to operate regularly and may receive maintenance and servicing in accordance with the relevant safety protocols.

Clivet: ready for the future

Clivet, which has always been forward-looking and committed to environmental sustainability, is staying ahead of regulatory deadlines with a diversified, cutting-edge technological strategy that supports designers, installers and end customers in the transition to a greener future.

Clivet’s plan is based on three pillars:

Controlled use of low-impact HFCs and HFOs (such as R-32, R-513A and R-1234ze) where technical applications permit.
Use of propane (R-290), an exceptional natural gas with a GWP of virtually zero (just 0.02) that guarantees excellent thermal performance and efficiency.
Use of the R-454C Class A2L blend in large-scale air-handling systems, to combine operational safety, energy efficiency and reduced emissions.