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Buying guide · UK law, October 2026
Why F-Gas certified installation matters
By law, only certified engineers working for a certified company can install split air conditioning in the UK. Here's what the rules say, why they protect you, and how to check your installer.
The quick answer
It's the law, and it protects you
- LegalSplit air conditioning must be installed by an F-Gas certified engineer working for an F-Gas certified company.
- ProtectedA certified install keeps your manufacturer warranty valid and gives you an F-Gas certificate for your system.
- CheckAlways ask for the installer's company certificate, or search the REFCOM register before you book.
What is F-Gas?
What F-Gas means for your air conditioning
F-Gases (fluorinated greenhouse gases) are the refrigerants that move heat in air conditioning and heat pumps. They work brilliantly inside a sealed system, but if they leak they are hundreds of times more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide.
That's why UK law controls who can handle them. Every split system has a refrigerant circuit that's opened, joined and charged on site, so the quality of the installation decides whether it stays sealed for life.
UK law
What the F-Gas rules say
The rules apply across the UK to homes and businesses, whoever owns the system.
Engineers must be certified
Anyone who installs, services, repairs or removes split air conditioning must hold a personal F-Gas qualification (Category I or II), even if they work for someone else.
Companies must be certified
The business must also hold an F-Gas company certificate from an approved body such as REFCOM, F-Gas Register (Quidos) or Bureau Veritas. This applies to sole traders too.
Sales need a certified installer
Split systems may only be sold to an end user with evidence that a certified company will install them. Pre-charged units still count as an installation.
No venting of refrigerant
Refrigerant must be recovered, never released. Systems must be pressure-tested and checked for leaks when installed.
Leak checks and records
Systems holding 5 tonnes CO₂ equivalent or more, common in businesses, need leak checks at least every 12 months and records kept for 5 years.
High-impact gases banned
Since 1 January 2025, new single split systems under 3kg using refrigerants with a GWP of 750 or more, such as R410A, can't be sold in Great Britain.
- F-Gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014Kept in Great Britain law after Brexit. Sets the rules on certification, leaks, sales and bans.
- Regulation (EU) 2015/2067Sets the certification rules for engineers and companies working on air conditioning and heat pumps.
- The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015The UK enforcement rules, including civil penalties. Enforced by the Environment Agency, SEPA, Natural Resources Wales and NIEA.
- Northern IrelandFollows the updated EU F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 under the Windsor Framework.
Civil penalties for F-Gas breaches in England and Scotland, with up to £100,000 for handling F-Gases without certification. Deliberately releasing F-Gases can also be a criminal offence.
If an uncertified installer works on your system, you can lose your warranty and be left without the paperwork you need.
Why it matters
Certified installer vs uncertified installer
A cheap quote from an uncertified installer can cost you more in the long run.
| What you get | F-Gas certified (Airomax) | Uncertified installer |
|---|---|---|
| Legal to install split air conditioning | Yes | No |
| F-Gas certificate for your system | Yes, on completion | No |
| Manufacturer warranty | Protected | Can be refused |
| Pressure and leak tested | Yes, to the standard | Often skipped |
| Correct refrigerant charge | Weighed in and recorded | Guessed |
| Safe handling of R32 refrigerant | Trained for it | Not trained |
| Listed on the REFCOM register | Yes | No |
Why Airomax
Certified, experienced and trusted by homes and businesses
Airomax is an F-Gas certified company registered with REFCOM. Every installation is carried out by our own trained engineers, who hold the F-Gas qualifications needed for the systems they fit.
Our team brings over 30 years of engineering experience across homes, offices, shops, restaurants, schools and healthcare sites. Whether it's a bedroom or a whole building, the work is done properly, safely and legally.
Done properly
What an F-Gas compliant installation includes
These are the steps that keep your system sealed, efficient and legal for years.
Correct pipe work
Copper pipes are cut, flared and joined to the manufacturer's specification, with no kinks or dirt in the system.
Nitrogen pressure test
The pipework is pressure-tested with nitrogen to prove there are no leaks before any refrigerant is released.
Deep vacuum
Air and moisture are removed with a vacuum pump, which protects the compressor and keeps efficiency high.
Refrigerant charge
The correct amount of refrigerant is released or weighed in for your pipe length, then recorded.
Commissioning
Every room is tested on heating and cooling, and the system is checked for leaks again.
Certificate and records
You get an F-Gas compliance certificate recording the refrigerant type and amount, plus your warranty details.
For businesses
Staying compliant as a business
If your business owns or operates air conditioning, you are the operator under the F-Gas rules. Larger systems holding 5 tonnes CO₂ equivalent or more must have regular leak checks and a log kept for at least 5 years, ready for inspection.
We look after this for you, so your offices, shops or sites stay compliant without the paperwork headache.
How we help businesses
- F-Gas leak checks at the right intervals
- Equipment records and service logs kept for you
- Planned servicing and 24/7 repairs
- Out-of-hours installation to avoid disruption
Before you book
How to check any installer is F-Gas certified
- Ask for the company's F-Gas company certificate and its certificate number.
- Search the company on the REFCOM register or the F-Gas Register by name or postcode.
- Ask the engineer to show their personal F-Gas qualification card on the day.
- Make sure you'll get an F-Gas certificate for your system when the job is finished.
FAQs
F-Gas questions answered
Still unsure? Call us on 0330 043 7869, 7 days a week.
Is it illegal to install air conditioning without an F-Gas certificate?
Yes. In the UK, anyone who installs, services or repairs split air conditioning must hold a personal F-Gas qualification, and the business they work for must hold an F-Gas company certificate from an approved body such as REFCOM. Working on F-Gas equipment without certification can lead to civil penalties.
What is REFCOM?
REFCOM is one of the bodies approved to issue F-Gas company certificates in Great Britain. To be registered, a business must show its engineers hold the right F-Gas qualifications. You can search the REFCOM register by company name or postcode to check an installer.
Can I install a split system myself if it's pre-charged?
No. Connecting the refrigerant pipes of a split system counts as installation, even on a pre-charged unit, so it must be done by an F-Gas certified engineer working for a certified company. Sellers of split systems should only sell to customers who have a certified installer.
Will an uncertified installation affect my warranty?
Most manufacturers, including Daikin and Mitsubishi, require installation by a qualified, F-Gas certified installer for their warranty to apply. An uncertified installation can mean any warranty claim is refused.
Do I need leak checks on my air conditioning?
Most home systems hold too little refrigerant to need legal leak checks, but an annual service is still recommended. Larger business systems holding 5 tonnes CO₂ equivalent or more must be leak checked at least every 12 months, with records kept for 5 years.
What refrigerant do your systems use?
The Daikin and Mitsubishi systems we install use R32, which has around a third of the global warming impact of the older R410A refrigerant. Since 1 January 2025, new single split systems using high-impact refrigerants like R410A can no longer be sold in Great Britain.
What paperwork will I get?
You'll get an F-Gas compliance certificate recording the refrigerant type and amount, along with your electrical certificate and warranty details. Keep them with your property documents, as buyers and insurers may ask for them.
Choose an installer you can trust
Prefer to talk? Call 0330 043 7869, 7 days a week.