Stationary air conditioning and heat pumps
Stationary air conditioning (AC) and heat pump (HP) systems are designed to control the thermal comfort in buildings. The equipment types applied in the stationary AC and HP sector can be broken down into several sub-categories:
Moveable room AC
Devices that are hermetically sealed and can be moved between rooms. Primarily used in private households and small businesses.
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for moveable room AC units | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| Non-fluorinated refrigerants | R-290 (propane) | 0.02 | 0.072
| A3
| R-407A, R-410A, R-32 |
Table notes: GWPs were taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).
Self-contained AC/HP
Refers to a complete factory-made system which is in a suitable frame or casing, is fabricated and transported complete or in two or more sections, can contain isolation valves and in which no gas-containing parts are connected on site.
Prohibitions:
- From 1 January 2027, plug-in room air-conditioning equipment, monoblock air-conditioning equipment, other self-contained air-conditioning equipment, and self-contained heat pumps with a maximum rated capacity of up to and including 12 kW that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited. If safety requirements at the operation site do not allow using fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of less than 150, the GWP limit is 750.
- From 1 January 2032, plug-in room air-conditioning equipment, monoblock air-conditioning equipment, other self-contained air-conditioning equipment, and self-contained heat pumps with a maximum rated capacity of up to and including 12 kW that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited. If safety requirements at the operation site do not allow using alternatives to fluorinated greenhouse gases, the GWP limit is 750.
- From 1 January 2027, monoblock and other self-contained air-conditioning equipment and heat pumps with a maximum rated capacity of more than 12 kW but not exceeding 50 kW that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited. If safety requirements at the operation site do not allow using fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of less than 150, the GWP limit is 750.
- From 1 January 2030, other self-contained air-conditioning equipment and heat pumps that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited. If safety requirements at the operation site do not allow using fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of less than 150, the GWP limit is 750.
Single split AC
A system that consists of one outdoor and one indoor unit linked by refrigerant piping needs installation at the storage site. It is predominantly used in private households and small businesses.
Prohibitions:
- From 1 January 2025, single split AC systems containing less than 3 kg of F-gases with a GWP of 750 or more are prohibited.
- From 1 January 2027, split air-to-water systems of a rated capacity up to and including 12 kW containing, or relying upon, fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited.
- From 1 January 2029, split air-to-air systems of a rated capacity up to and including 12 kW containing, or relying upon, fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited.
- From 1 January 2035, split systems of a rated capacity up to and including 12 kW containing, or relying upon, fluorinated greenhouse gases, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited.
- From 1 January 2029, split systems of a rated capacity of more than 12 kW containing, or relying upon, fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 750 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited.
- From 1 January 2033, split systems of a rated capacity of more than 12 kW containing, or relying upon, fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited.
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for single split units | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| Non-fluorinated refrigerants | R-290
| 0.02 | 0.072 | A3 | R-407A, R-410A, R-32 |
| HFCs | R-32 | 675 | 2 690 | A2L | R-407A, R-410A |
Table notes: GWPs taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).
Multi-split AC/VRF
A system that consists of one outdoor unit and multiple indoor units. VRF systems are further developed, enabling a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) towards every indoor unit and being used in commercial facilities, office buildings, etc.
Prohibitions:
- From 1 January 2027, plug-in room air-conditioning equipment, monoblock air-conditioning equipment, other self-contained air-conditioning equipment, and self-contained heat pumps with a maximum rated capacity of up to and including 12 kW that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited. If safety requirements at the operation site do not allow using fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of less than 150, the GWP limit is 750.
- From 1 January 2032, plug-in room air-conditioning equipment, monoblock air-conditioning equipment, other self-contained air-conditioning equipment, and self-contained heat pumps with a maximum rated capacity of up to and including 12 kW that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited. If safety requirements at the operation site do not allow using alternatives to fluorinated greenhouse gases, the GWP limit is 750.
- From 1 January 2027, monoblock and other self-contained air-conditioning equipment and heat pumps with a maximum rated capacity of more than 12 kW but not exceeding 50 kW that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited. If safety requirements at the operation site do not allow using fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of less than 150, the GWP limit is 750.
- From 1 January 2030, other self-contained air-conditioning equipment and heat pumps that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited. If safety requirements at the operation site do not allow using fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of less than 150, the GWP limit is 750.
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for multi-split/Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| HFCs | R-32 | 675 | 2 690 | A2L | R-407A, R-410A |
Table notes: GWPs taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).
Chillers
A system in which the refrigerant cools down a liquid (usually water) is then circulated to cool air in commercial or industrial facilities. Various alternatives have recently become available for good, efficient, and safe chillers.
Prohibitions:
Prohibitions for stationary chillers that contain, or whose functioning relies on.
- From 1 January 2020, stationary chillers that contain or rely on HFCs with a GWP of 2 500 or more, except for equipment designed to cool products below –50°C, are prohibited.
- From 1 January 2027, stationary chillers with a rated capacity of up to 12 kW that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 150 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited.
- From 1 January 2032, stationary chillers with a rated capacity of up to 12 kW that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited.
- From 1 January 2027, stationary chillers with a rated capacity above 12 kW that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 750 or more, except if required to meet safety requirements, are prohibited.
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for chillers | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| Non-fluorinated refrigerants | R-744 (CO2) | 1 | 1 | A1 | R-134a, R-404A, R-410A, R-452B, R-454B, R-32, R-513A, R-514A, R-515B |
| R-1270 (propene) | 0 | 0 | A3 | R-134a, R-404A, R-410A, R-452B, R-454B, R-32, R-513A, R-514A, R-515B | |
| R-290 (propane) | 0.02 | 0.072 | A3 | R-134a, R-404A, R-410A, R-452B, R-454B, R-32, R-513A, R-514A, R-515B | |
| R-717 (ammonia) | 0 | 0 | B2L | R-134a, R-404A, R-410A, R-452B, R-454B, R-32, R-513A, R-514A, R-515B | |
| R-718 (H20) | 0 | 0 | A1 | R-134a, R-404A, R-410A, R-452B, R-454B, R-32, R-513A, R-514A, R-515B | |
| R-1270 (propylene) | 0 | 0 | A4 | R-134a, R-404A, R-410A, R-452B, R-454B, R-32, R-513A, R-514A, R-515B | |
HFC/HFO blends | R-452B | 697 | 2 275 | A2L | R-410A |
| R-454B | 465 | 1 854 | A2L | R-410A | |
| R-455A | 146 | 580 | A2L | R-404A | |
| R-513A | 629 | 1 823 | A1 | R-134a | |
| R-514A | 2 | 6 | B1 | R-123 | |
| R-515B | 288 | 525 | A1 | R-134A | |
| HFOs | R-1233zd(E) | 3.88 | 14 | A1 | R-134a, R-410A |
| R-1234ze(E) | 1.37 | 4.94 | A2L | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A | |
| HFCs | R-32 | 675 | 2 690 | A2L | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A |
Table notes: GWPs taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).
Heat pump
A system that provides heating or cooling by transferring heat from or to an external reservoir (such as the ground, water, or outside air). Used in private households (domestic heat pumps) and commercial/industrial facilities (self-contained industrial, high-temperature heat pumps).
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for domestic heat pumps (monoblocks) and other self-contained AC | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| Non-fluorinated refrigerants | R-290 (propane) | 0.02 | 0.072 | A3 | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A, R-513A, R-450C, R-454C, R-32 |
| R-744 (CO2) | 1 | 1 | A1 | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A, R-513A, R-450C, R-454C, R-32 | |
| HFC/HFO blends | R-513A | 629 | 1 823 | A1 | R-134a |
| R-454C | 146 | 580 | A2L | R-404A, R-507, R-410A, R-32 | |
| HFCs | R-32 | 675 | 2 690 | A2L | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A |
Table notes: GWPs taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for industrial heat pumps (self-contained) | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| Non-fluorinated refrigerants | R-290 (propane) | 0.02 | 0.072 | A3 | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A, R-454B, R-513A |
| R-744 (CO2) | 1 | 1 | A1 | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A, R-454B, R-513A | |
| R-717 (ammonia) | 0 | 0 | B2L | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A, R-454B, R-513A | |
HFC(HFO blends
| R-454B | 465 | 1 854 | A2L | R-410A |
| R-513A | 629 | 1 823 | A1 | R-134a | |
Table notes: GWPs taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for high-temperature Heat Pumps | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| HFOs | R-1336mzz(Z) | 2.08 | 7.48 | A1 | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A |
| R-1336mzz(E) | 17.9 | 64.3 | A1 | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A | |
Table notes: GWPs taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).
Mobile air conditioning
According to EU Directive 2006/40/EC on mobile air-conditioning systems (“MAC Directive”), the refrigerant R-134a used in new passenger cars was prohibited from 2017 onwards (requirement of GWP<150). The main substitute for new vehicle models is the unsaturated HFC R-1234yf. With new technologies and developments emerging, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly relevant, often using R-744 (CO2) as a refrigerant as it is more energy-efficient with the required additional battery cooling demands.
For buses, new models are using the R-744, and some manufacturers have introduced the R-290 as an alternative. Especially for trains, with their long lifetimes (more than 25 years), it is essential to select a refrigerant that will be eligible for use also in the future, which is why research is carried out on additional alternatives such as R-729 (air) and R-290 (propane).
There are few available alternatives for ships, given the safety and design concerns. Nevertheless, some manufacturers use R-513A as a retrofit and consider R-744 (CO2) for new ship models.
The F-gas Regulation does not impose specific bans on mobile air conditioning. However, as a result of the HFC phase-out, high GWP refrigerants will become increasily difficult to access and eventually more expensive than alternatives in the future.
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for mobile air conditioning for cars | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| Non-fluorinated refrigerants | R-290 (propane) | 0.02 | 0.072 | A3 | R-134a, R-404A, R-410A, R-513A, R-456A, R-474A |
| R-744 (CO2) | 1 | 1 | A1 | R-134a, R-404A, R-410A, R-513A, R-456A, R-474A | |
| HFC/HFO blends | R-513A | 629 | 1 823 | A1 | R-134a |
| R-456A | 685 | 2 027 | A1 | R-134a | |
| R-474A | 0.4 | 1 | A2L | R-134a, R-1234yf | |
| HFOs | R-1234yf | 0.501 | 1.81 | A2L | R-134a |
Table notes: GWPs taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for mobile air conditioning for buses | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| Non-fluorinated refrigerants | R-290 (propane) | 0.02 | 0.072 | A3 | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A, R5-13A |
| R-744 (CO2) | 1 | 1 | A1 | R-134a, R-513A | |
| R-729 (air) | 0 | 0 | A1 | R-134a, R-513A | |
| Saturated and unsaturated HFC blends | R-513A | 629 | 1 823 | A1 | R-134a |
| R-450A | 601 | 1 742 | A1 | R-134a | |
Table notes: GWPs taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for mobile air conditioning for trains | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| Non-fluorinated refrigerants | R-290 (propane) | 0.02 | 0.072 | A3 | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A, R-513A |
| R-744 (CO2) | 1 | 1 | A1 | R-134a, R-513A | |
| R-729 (air) | 0 | 0 | A1 | R-134a, R-513A | |
| Saturated and unsaturated HFC blends | R-513A | 629 | 1 823 | A1 | R-134a |
Table notes: GWPs taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).
| Climate-friendly alternative substances for mobile air conditioning for ships | |||||
| Substance | GWP100 | GWP20 | Safety Group | Replacement for | |
| Non-fluorinated refrigerants | R-290 (propane) | 0.02 | 0.072 | A3 | R-134a, R-407A, R-410A, R-513A |
| R-744 (CO2) | 1 | 1 | A1 | R-134a, R-513A | |
| R-717 (ammonia) | 0 | 0 | B2L | R-134a, R-513A | |
| Saturated and unsaturated HFC blends | R-513A | 629 | 1 823 | A1 | R-134a |
| Unsaturated HFCs | R-1234ze(E) | 1.37 | 4.94 | 2L | R-134a |
Table notes: GWPs taken from Annex I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/573. For non-fluorinated substances, also contained in mixtures, GWPs were calculated according to Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (GWP20 of non-fluorinated refrigerants based on AR6).