R22 & R410A Phase-Out: What It Means for Your Air Con
Two generations of refrigerant are being legislated out of British air conditioning. R22 has been unserviceable since 2015, and R410A, the gas in most systems installed over the last twenty years, is being squeezed by the F-Gas quota phase-down. Here is the timeline in plain English, how to tell what your system runs on, what it means for re-gassing, and the sensible options.
The phase-out dates in one table
The rules come from the UK's ozone-depleting substances and F-Gas regulations, which since Brexit run on a GB schedule broadly parallel to the EU's. Dates are as the rules stand in 2026; treat post-2026 lines as the current plan, not a certainty.
| Date | Refrigerant | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Around 2004 | R22 | No longer fitted in new equipment; from 1 January 2010 only recycled R22 could be used for servicing |
| 1 January 2015 | R22 | All R22 banned for servicing and top-ups, recycled included. Systems cannot legally be re-gassed |
| 1 January 2025 | R410A | HFC quota phase-down (running since 2015) tightens; new single splits under 3 kg using refrigerant with GWP of 750 or more (R410A, R407C) can no longer be placed on the GB market |
| 2026 | R410A | Quota tightened; restrictions on virgin R410A for servicing larger systems, with reclaimed and recycled gas the route for top-ups |
| 2027 onwards (current plan) | HFCs | Further GWP limits proposed for new small splits and heat pumps, pushing the market to R32 and lower-GWP gases |
| Towards 2030 | HFCs | Continued quota cuts; higher-GWP gas for servicing expected to get scarcer and dearer |
Sources: GB F-Gas Regulation and gov.uk / Environment Agency guidance, the EU ODS and F-Gas regulations that preceded it, and REFCOM. Check current guidance before relying on a post-2026 date.
How to tell what refrigerant your air conditioning uses
Look at the data plate on the outdoor unit, and often inside the indoor unit's front panel: it states R22, R407C, R410A or R32 and the charge in kilograms. As a rule of thumb:
- Installed before about 2004: almost certainly R22. If it still runs, it is living on borrowed time; any leak ends it.
- Installed roughly 2004–2020: very likely R410A (or R407C on some older commercial kit). Serviceable, but on a shrinking gas supply.
- Installed from about 2018 onwards: probably R32, the current standard. No action needed.
If the plate is unreadable, the installation invoice or an F-Gas record will say, and any engineer attending a service will confirm it.
What the phase-out means for repairs, re-gassing and running on
If you have R22
It may run for years if it never loses gas, and there is no obligation to switch it off. But the moment it needs a re-gas, a compressor or any work that opens the circuit, it cannot legally be recharged and the sensible path is replacement. A few R22 systems have approved drop-in gases, but on domestic kit that rarely beats a new R32 unit at £1,500–£3,000 installed, which also uses far less electricity (roughly 18–23p an hour for 2.5 kW).
If you have R410A
The common case, and no need to panic. R410A is not banned for use; existing systems can be serviced and, after a leak is repaired, recharged with reclaimed or recycled gas. What is changing is supply: the quota shrinks each year, new R410A splits are no longer sold and virgin gas for servicing is restricted, so a top-up will tend to cost more and availability may tighten in peak season. A re-gas that is £100–£300 today may sit higher on R410A over time, and the leak must always be fixed first. See re-gas costs and why a unit stops cooling.
The practical rule
Keep a sound R410A system running and serviced annually at £75–£150 per unit. Plan to replace it at the next major repair rather than pouring emergency rates into it: the repair-or-replace guide gives the thresholds.
R32 today, R290 and lower-GWP blends tomorrow
R32 is the current standard: about a third of R410A's global warming potential, slightly better efficiency and a smaller charge. Mildly flammable (A2L), so it needs R32-rated kit and an F-Gas certified installer; every mainstream new split uses it, at £1,500–£3,000 for a single split. R290 (propane, GWP around 3) is emerging: common in monobloc heat pumps and appearing in some air conditioning, but flammable (A3) with stricter charge limits. Commercial VRF plant is moving to R32 and lower-GWP blends in stages; owners of large R410A installations should agree a replacement roadmap with their contractor rather than face an emergency swap.
Dates may move, but the direction is clear: each generation has a lower global warming potential and tighter handling rules. A current R32 system from a reputable brand with a 5–7 year warranty is the straightforward way to stay ahead.
Sources & methodology
- R22: EC Regulation 1005/2009 on ozone-depleting substances as retained in GB law; Environment Agency guidance on the 2010 virgin ban and the 1 January 2015 ban on recycled R22 for servicing.
- R410A and HFCs: the GB F-Gas Regulation (retained EU 517/2014 as amended) and gov.uk guidance on the quota phase-down, the 1 January 2025 single-split ban (GWP 750+) and 2026 servicing restrictions; later dates may change.
- GWP and flammability classes from manufacturer and REFCOM technical guidance; price ranges are Air Con Surrey 2026 baselines for Surrey and the South of England, including VAT.
FAQs
Not sure whether to repair or replace?
Tell us the age, brand and symptoms and we will match you with vetted, F-Gas certified engineers who will identify the refrigerant, quote the repair honestly and price a new R32 system alongside it. Free, no obligation.