As of: January 29, 2024, 7:49 p.m
By: Amy Walker
Comments
Press
Split
Climate-damaging F-gases are contained in refrigerators, heat pumps and air conditioning systems.
For some products this should end as early as 2026.
Berlin/Brussels – Another ban was issued with consequences for the everyday lives of consumers in Germany.
This time it's about containing so-called fluorinated gases.
The European Parliament has given the green light to curb these climate-damaging F-gases.
From 2050 onwards, none of these gases, which are currently used in refrigerators or air conditioning systems, will be used any more.
The MPs decided this on January 16, 2024 in Strasbourg.
In addition, the sale of products containing F-gases should be banned.
Fluorinated gases are greenhouse gases produced by humans.
This is a clear signal to manufacturers of heat pumps, air conditioning systems and refrigerators, who must now curb the use of these climate-damaging gases in their products.
The F-gases are to be reduced in various stages; for some products the ban will take effect as early as 2026.
F-gases banned in the EU: “Investment security for the industry”
“An end to F-gases is crucial, not only because these gases are extremely harmful to the climate, but also because we are creating clarity and investment security for the industry,” said the responsible rapporteur Bas Eickhout (Greens).
Negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU countries agreed on this step in October.
The member states still have to agree, but this is considered a formality.
“With the new regulations for switchgear, cooling devices and heat pumps, 40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent will be saved by 2030,” said the environmental policy spokesman for the EPP group, Peter Liese (CDU).
That corresponds to the emissions of Ireland, Sweden or Portugal or around 20 million cars.
In addition, according to the information, new regulations have also been passed for ozone-depleting substances, which are found, for example, in insulating foams.
They should be better recycled, for example.
Deadlines for banning F-gas in refrigerators, air conditioning systems and heat pumps
It was specifically decided to ban the marketing of new devices that use F-gases.
The ban will gradually apply to different devices in different sectors so that F-gases will no longer be consumed in the EU by 2050 at the latest.
This would also affect old devices that would be replaced by consumers by then.
The following deadlines that are relevant for consumers have been decided according to the EU regulation:
Refrigerators and freezers in the household: Ban from January 1, 2026
Refrigerators and freezers in commercial use: Ban from January 1, 2025
Heat pumps and air conditioning systems up to 12 kW: Ban from January 1, 2027
Heat pumps and air conditioning systems over 12 kW: Ban from January 1, 2030
Air-water split systems (air conditioning & heat pump in one) up to 12 kW: Ban from January 1, 2027
Air-air split systems up to 12 kW: Ban from January 1, 2029
Split systems over 12 kW: Ban from January 1, 2033
Exceptions apply in all cases, for example where the F-gas used is necessary to “comply with safety requirements”.
In addition, the bans initially only apply to devices that have a GWP value of 150 or more.
GWP stands for Global Warming Potential (= greenhouse potential).
This is a key figure that shows how much a greenhouse gas contributes to global warming.
F-gases with lower GWP values should still be permitted until the 2030s.
From 2032/2035, devices with lower GWP values will also be banned.
My news
British newspaper makes it clear: Anyone who looks at Germany sees an “accident in slow motion”.
Changes for pensioners: payment of pension and disability pension affected read
Important change for pensioners: There is no longer any entitlement to a pension in the event of occupational disability
“Mega increase” for pensioners: An expert predicts good news for pensioners
The whole of Germany is paying for Bavaria's failures in the energy transition
Table shows when pensioners have to pay taxes read
Some well-known heat pump manufacturers use the natural refrigerant R290.
© Franziska Gabbert/dpa-tmn
An exception was also found for the heat pump sector should the ban on F-gases have a negative impact on the heat transition.
The EU also wants to double the pace of installing heat pumps by 2030.
If the new regulation jeopardizes this goal, the Commission should have the opportunity to adapt it so that the heat pump targets can still be met.
The EU also admits that it may be necessary to wait for the development of new technologies before F-gases can be completely eliminated from heat pumps.
Repair of old devices with F gases is still possible
Existing appliances are not affected by the ban, meaning consumers do not have to replace old refrigerators and heat pumps by the specified deadlines.
The EU regulation also explicitly emphasizes that repair and maintenance work on devices that use climate-damaging F-gases should still be possible - subject to reservations.
Devices that are particularly harmful to the climate (GWP value of 2500 or more) should no longer be maintained or repaired, or only under very specific conditions.
This maintenance ban will be gradually extended until 2050, until F-gases no longer appear in old devices.
Depending on the device, alternatives to F gases can be the following natural refrigerants: CO₂, ammonia, isobutane, propane or even water.
Modern heat pumps often use propane.