R410A ban: what is still allowed and what to do with old gas
There is no servicing ban for R410A in air conditioning and heat pumps: you may keep servicing and topping up existing systems, including with virgin gas. The ban concerns new equipment: small single-split air conditioners using R410A may no longer be placed on the market since 2025, and most other air conditioners, heat pumps and chillers from 2027 to 2029. Reclaimed R410A is in demand because the EU HFC quota roughly halves in 2027, and Gaia Cooling collects recovered R410A.
- GWP
- 2088
- Type
- HFC blend
- Destination
- Reuse after reclamation
What applies to R410A
- 2025
New single-split air conditioners and heat pumps with less than 3 kg of refrigerant and a GWP of 750 or more may no longer be placed on the market. R410A is covered by this.
- 2027
New monobloc air conditioners and heat pumps up to 50 kW, air-to-water split systems up to 12 kW and chillers using R410A may no longer be placed on the market, apart from a few safety exceptions. The maximum amount of new HFCs allowed on the EU market roughly halves.
- 2029
New split systems using R410A may no longer be placed on the market: air-to-air up to 12 kW and all split systems above 12 kW, apart from safety exceptions.
- 2032
Where R410A is used in stationary refrigeration equipment that is not a chiller, it may only be serviced with reclaimed or recycled gas. Nothing changes for air conditioning, heat pumps and chillers.
R410A is found in most split air conditioners and air-to-air and air-to-water heat pumps from the past twenty years, in VRF systems and in smaller chillers.
New air conditioners and heat pumps mainly use R32, and monobloc heat pumps increasingly use propane (R290). Chillers and larger systems also use R454B. CO₂ (R744) and propane are gaining ground because of the product bans.
Offering R410A
We collect recovered R410A from installers, wholesalers and equipment owners, for example when air conditioners and heat pumps are replaced. Collection goes through a licensed carrier, we handle the paperwork and we look at the price lot by lot. The gas goes to a licensed reclamation plant and returns to the market for servicing existing systems.
Questions about R410A
Is R410A banned?
Not for existing systems. You may keep using, servicing and topping up an R410A air conditioner or heat pump, including with virgin gas. What is banned is placing new R410A equipment on the market: small single-split air conditioners since 2025 and most other types from 2027 to 2029.
Can I still top up an R410A air conditioner after 2026?
Yes. The servicing ban for air conditioning and heat pumps that applies since 1 January 2026 only covers refrigerant with a GWP of 2500 or more. R410A has a GWP of 2088 and is not covered.
What does the quota mean for R410A?
New R410A may only be placed on the EU market with quota. That quota roughly halves in 2027, and with a GWP of 2088, R410A uses a lot of quota per kilo. Gas recovered in the EU and then reclaimed sits outside the quota. That is why reclaimed R410A is in demand.
What do I do with R410A from a replaced air conditioner or heat pump?
Have it recovered by a technician with a valid F-gas certificate, into a separate cylinder per gas type. We have it collected by a licensed carrier and handle the paperwork. We look at the price lot by lot, and you know where you stand upfront.