Your protection
F-Gas certification, explained
Air conditioning contains refrigerant gas. By law, only certified companies and qualified engineers can install it. Here's what that means for you.
What is F-Gas?
"F-gases" are the fluorinated gases used as refrigerants in air conditioning and heat pumps. They're harmless when sealed inside a system, but a powerful greenhouse gas if they leak. The UK F-Gas Regulations control who can handle them to make sure they stay sealed in.
What the law requires
- The company must hold an F-Gas company certificate, issued by an approved certification body after checking its procedures, equipment and staff.
- The engineers must hold an individual F-Gas qualification for the work they do.
- The work must be done to recognised standards: correct pipework, pressure and vacuum testing, and records of the refrigerant used.
Why it matters to you
Your warranty. The manufacturer's warranty depends on installation by a certified installer. Your running costs. A system that's been properly vacuumed and charged runs at its rated efficiency; one that hasn't won't, and may fail early. Safety and the environment. Certified engineers keep refrigerant where it belongs.
Peak Air Renewables Ltd holds its own company F-Gas certificate, and installations are carried out by individually F-Gas qualified engineers. Ask us for our certificate number: we're happy to share it.
How to check an installer
Ask for their company F-Gas certificate number and which body issued it, then check it on that body's public register. Any certified company will give you the number without hesitation. Be wary of anyone offering to "just fit" a system without one.
Have a question? Get in touch, or book a free survey and ask us in person.
Questions people ask
Is it illegal to install air conditioning without F-Gas certification?
Yes. Under the UK F-Gas Regulations, work on equipment containing fluorinated refrigerant gases, including installing split air conditioning, must be done by certified personnel working for a certified company.
Can I fit a DIY or 'quick connect' kit myself?
Pre-charged DIY kits exist, but most manufacturers' warranties require installation by a certified installer. A poor connection leaks refrigerant, loses efficiency and can damage the compressor.
What refrigerant do your systems use?
The home systems we fit use R32, which has around a third of the global warming impact of the R410A it replaced, and needs less of it in each system.
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