October 6, 2023, 11:10 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The European Union plans to ban certain refrigerants used in heat pumps and air conditioners starting in 2027. Find out what’s behind this decision here.
Heat pumps are considered among the most climate-friendly heating methods. More and more homeowners are choosing them over oil and gas heating systems, partly due to the government’s future heating plans. However, heat pumps are not entirely without environmental concerns. They are partly operated with refrigerants known as F-gases, which are considered harmful to the environment. The EU is now planning a refrigerant ban for heat pumps–industry associations fear significant burdens.
EU aims to achieve climate protection goals
The EU Parliament and the European Council have agreed to remove certain refrigerants from the market starting in 2027. By 2050, a total ban on these F-gases in the EU is planned. The ban aims to achieve the EU’s self-imposed climate protection goals. So far, it is only a draft–according to the Federal Environment Agency, the Parliament and Council only need to formally approve it for the regulations to take effect.
F-gases is the abbreviation for fluorinated greenhouse gases. These are considered significantly more harmful to the climate than CO2. They are used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and also in heat pumps. The EU has not yet released specific details about the refrigerant ban for heat pumps.
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Industry associations see significant burdens
The industry association, the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), views the accelerated phase-out as a significant short-term burden. In a statement, it is noted that production capacities are already being massively expanded to meet EU goals. The new ban could initially slow this process, as everything would need to be adjusted.
It further states that while the agreement will help make heat pumps even cleaner, it will not accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels for heating and cooling. Instead, it could even slow the process, as it makes the introduction of heat pumps more difficult, according to the EHPA.
Each heat pump replaces a fossil fuel heating boiler and reduces CO2 emissions. If there are not enough heat pumps, consumers would instead opt for fossil heating systems, explains Alessia Del Vasto from the EHPA.
The industry association European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) also views the planned ban less positively. EPEE board member Russell Patten states in a statement that the agreement will undoubtedly prolong reliance on fossil fuels.
Propane as an alternative
Heat pumps that use F-gases could alternatively switch to propane as a refrigerant in the future. This is more environmentally and climate-friendly, but it also carries risks. Propane can easily ignite. The EHPA therefore calls for political support, such as training for installers and modern production facilities for the safe handling of flammable refrigerants.