The F-Gas review should ensure the energy transition

AFEC, the Association of Air Conditioning Equipment Manufacturers, summarises in this paper the serious risks to the 2030 climate and energy goals if some of the current proposals for the review of Regulation 517/2014 on F-Gas are maintained.

Although some provisions of the new proposal contain positive aspects previously indicated by the industry, it also contains a number of restrictions that would have a negative impact on the expansion of heat pumps. The assessment used for the proposal for the F-Gas review was based on unrealistic assumptions and market segmentation, making the conclusions on the impact of the proposal inaccurate.

Balance

The F-GAS review must find a balance with other European policies to ensure the energy transition so that requirements to reduce fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions are aligned with other European policies and objectives, such as the “energy efficiency first” principle, the drive to decarbonise heating and EU energy independence.

Emissions of fluorinated gases out of total greenhouse gases, such as CO2, methane or nitrogen oxide, account for only 2.2% in the EU, and in the case of heat pumps, direct emissions (due to refrigerant leakage) are minimal, as they are hermetically sealed equipment, and indirect emissions (due to energy consumption) are very low, thanks to their high efficiency and the use of renewable energies.

To ensure decarbonisation we need to maintain the gradual reduction identified in the current F-Gas regulation and not introduce additional prohibitions on heat pumps.