Will R410A Be Phased Out in the UK?
For years, R410A has been the backbone of air conditioning and heat pump systems across the UK. Ever reliable, efficient, and non-ozone-depleting, it replaced the banned R22 and quickly became the industry standard throughout Europe.
But in 2025, more and more installers are asking the same question: is R410A on the way out? In this article, we will go over the benefits and drawbacks of R410A as it stands today, and what the future holds for refrigerant technology in the HVAC space.
The Problem with R410A
The issue isn’t performance. R410A works well and has powered millions of systems without complaint. But as the world around us changes and priorities shift, the challenge has become an environmental one.
R410A has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of around 2,088, which is high compared to newer refrigerants such as R32 (675). As more countries move towards a unified approach to decarbonisation and strive to hit net-zero targets, lowering the global warming potential of HVAC installations has become a focus point in the industry.
Under the EU’s F-Gas regulations (which was retained in UK law post-Brexit), refrigerants with higher GWPs are being phased down. Of course, this doesn’t mean they’re instantly banned, but production and supply are capped and will continue to shrink as we inch towards the future.
What This Means in Practice
Servicing existing systems: R410A will remain available for maintenance and repair for the foreseeable future. Installers can still buy and handle it, provided they hold the correct F-Gas certification. There is absolutely no cause for concern for existing R410A installations as it stands right now.
New installations: almost all major manufacturers have moved away from R410A. New systems are designed for R32 or alternative low-GWP refrigerants.
Costs: as quotas tighten, the price of R410A may be liable to rise, making servicing older units more expensive over time. However, this isn’t likely to be a problem in the near future.
Is There a Ban Coming?
No, there is no immediate outright ban on R410A. Instead, it’s a managed decline: fewer new units being produced, less refrigerant entering the market each year, and incentives to move towards lower-GWP alternatives.
In other words: R410A isn’t disappearing overnight, but its days as a mainstream refrigerant are numbered, meaning the future looking installers among us will need to prepare for this eventuality one way or another.
What Should Installers and End Users Do?
If you’re servicing a legacy system: R410A is still completely fine, but factor in the rising cost of refrigerant for repairs.
If you’re installing new: it may be prudent (depending on your individual circumstances and project requirements) to avoid R410A for new installations if at all possible. Choose R32 or look at next-gen alternatives like R290 where available.
If you’re planning ahead: communicate with customers about the regulatory changes so they understand why R32 is the default choice now.
Our Final Thoughts
R410A isn’t banned outright in 2025 and certainly isn’t likely to be anytime soon, but it is good to remember that its being steadily phased down. For new installations, the smart move is to go with R32 or other low-GWP refrigerants to stay ahead of regulations and keep running costs down.
At The MEP Shop, we carry a full range of R32-compatible systems as well as R410A units to suit every project. Our expert team is on hand to ensure you get the right equipment for the job. Either contact us through our main contact page here, or simply use the enquiry form on any of our product pages for item specific queries.