09 March 2026
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Advertorial
UK businesses operating refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump systems are being called upon to accelerate the shift to lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. As UK F-Gas quotas continue to tighten, supply constraints and price volatility are no longer future concerns, they are already affecting day to day operations across the HVAC-R sector, with high GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) becoming significantly more expensive and harder to obtain.
Reduced availability, unpredictable supply and frequent price increases are trends we are expecting to see accelerate as future quota cuts come into force. For many businesses, the cost of maintaining existing systems is rising sharply, while the risk of being unable to source refrigerant at critical times is becoming very real.
As availability and pricing pressures on high GWP HFCs, such as R410A and R134a intensify, lower GWP refrigerants offer a practical solution. A broad range of alternatives are already established across the market, including HFO based blends and lower GWP A2L refrigerants. Manufacturers now offer extensive equipment ranges designed for these refrigerants, supported by growing installer competence, updated standards, and targeted training programmes.
Maximising Existing Supply Through Recovery and Reclamation
As high GWP refrigerants become scarcer, ensuring that every kilogram of refrigerant is recovered, reclaimed, and returned to the market for reuse is imperative.
It is important to distinguish between recycled and reclaimed refrigerant. Recycled refrigerant has been recovered from a system and put through a basic cleaning process,
allowing it to be reused. As a general principle, recycled refrigerant may only be reused within the same owner’s systems and cannot legally be transferred for use in equipment owned by another party.
To be placed back on the market or used beyond the original owner’s systems, refrigerant must be reclaimed by an appropriately certified facility. Reclaimed refrigerant is processed, tested, and certified to meet recognised industry standards, making it equivalent to virgin product and legally suitable for reintroduction into supply.
Recovering refrigerant at end of life, during retrofits, or when decommissioning equipment supports circular economy principles; it keeps valuable refrigerant in circulation and reduces dependence on increasingly constrained virgin supply.
Through our dedication to the recovery and subsequent reclamation of used refrigerants, A-Gas is leading the way towards improved circularity of refrigerants and enabling Lifecycle Refrigerant Management (LRM) across our industry.
A Strategic Decision, Not Just Compliance
Transitioning to lower GWP refrigerants is no longer just a compliance exercise driven by environmental targets, it is a long-term strategic decision that will shape the future of our industry. Organisations are encouraged to:
- Review current dependence on high GWP refrigerants
- Assess cost and availability risks for existing equipment
- Explore retrofit, replacement, or phased transition strategies
- Collaborate with suppliers and service partners to develop a structured transition plan aligned with UK F-Gas requirements
The path forward is clear: our industry must embrace lower GWP alternatives today. For more information on the lower GWP refrigerants available today, please visit agas.com or speak to a member of our team on 01275 376600.
