R32 vs R290 vs R410A: Refrigerants and the GB F-Gas Rules
R32, R290 and R410A compared: GWP, flammability, the GB ban on new high-GWP single splits, why the EU 2024 rules apply only in Northern Ireland, and what it means for leak checks.
By Max Tuleberg · Founder, Vento · Last updated 25 October 2026
Founder of Vento. Worked on the tools before building the software.
R32 is the standard refrigerant in new UK split air conditioning; R410A can no longer be sold in new small single splits in Great Britain; and R290 (propane) has by far the lowest climate impact but is highly flammable. Here is how they compare, and what the GB rules actually say.
At a glance
| R410A | R32 | R290 (propane) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWP | 2,088 | 675 | 3 |
| F gas? | Yes (HFC blend) | Yes (HFC) | No (hydrocarbon) |
| New single splits under 3 kg (GB) | Banned from 2025 | Allowed | Allowed |
| Flammability | Non-flammable | Mildly flammable | Highly flammable |
| Charge to reach 5 t CO₂e | 2.4 kg | 7.4 kg | Not an F gas |
| Where you'll see it | Existing systems | Most new domestic splits | Mainly monobloc heat pumps |
What the GB ban actually covers
Since 2025 it has been banned to place on the market in Great Britain single split systems with less than 3 kg of refrigerant that use an F gas with a GWP above 750. In practice that rules out new R410A single splits and allows R32. The ban is on placing new equipment on the market — it doesn't stop you owning, using or servicing an existing R410A system. Portable air conditioners using HFCs with a GWP above 150 are already banned.
Great Britain and Northern Ireland are different
Great Britain still follows the retained version of Regulation (EU) 517/2014 and the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015, enforced by the Environment Agency, SEPA and Natural Resources Wales. The EU's newer 2024 F-Gas Regulation applies in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework — so the stricter EU product bans you may read about don't automatically apply in England, Scotland or Wales.
Defra consulted in late 2025 on a faster phase-down of HFC supply, but said in May 2026 that it will not legislate in 2026 to change the steps from 1 January 2027.
Why GWP matters for leak checks
F-Gas leak-check duties depend on a system's charge in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (charge × GWP ÷ 1,000). The same 1.5 kg charge is 1.01 t CO₂e in R32 but 3.13 t in R410A — so lower-GWP refrigerants keep more systems under the 5 t threshold. Work out any system with the leak-check interval calculator.
Who can work on these systems
Anyone installing, servicing, leak-checking or recovering refrigerant from these systems needs their own F-Gas qualification, and the business needs F-Gas company certification. See F-Gas registration and certification.
Sources
Checked on 24 October 2026.
This guide is general information for UK installers, not legal or regulatory advice. Always check the current regulations and manufacturer instructions for your specific job.
Frequently asked questions
Is R410A banned in the UK?
Not for existing systems. In Great Britain, since 2025 it has been banned to place on the market new single split systems holding less than 3 kg of refrigerant that use an F gas with a GWP above 750. R410A (GWP 2,088) is above that, so new R410A single splits can't be sold, but existing R410A systems can still be used and serviced.
What is the GWP of R32?
675, according to GOV.UK. That is under the 750 limit for new single splits in Great Britain, which is why most new domestic split systems use R32.
Is R290 better than R32?
R290 (propane) has a GWP of 3, against 675 for R32, so it has far less climate impact if it leaks, and it isn't an F gas. It is highly flammable, so it comes with stricter limits on charge size and where equipment can go, and it's more common today in monobloc heat pumps than in split air conditioning.
Do the EU 2024 F-Gas rules apply in the UK?
Only in Northern Ireland. Great Britain still follows the retained version of Regulation (EU) 517/2014 and the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015. Defra consulted in 2025 on a faster HFC phase-down, but said in May 2026 it will not legislate in 2026 to change the steps from 1 January 2027.
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