Refrigerant R32 and the ban from 2029: What buyers need to know
In short: R32 is the refrigerant used in all split air conditioners in the range. It is a fluorinated refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 675, less than a third of that of R410A. From 1 January 2029, new split air conditioners up to 12 kW using a refrigerant with a GWP of 150 or higher may no longer be placed on the market; this also applies to R32. Units that have already been purchased and installed may continue to be operated. As R32 is an F-gas, installation must be carried out by a certified specialist contractor.
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What is R32?
The refrigerant is the substance that transfers heat in an air conditioner: it absorbs heat in the evaporator and releases it again in the condenser. The refrigerant used by a unit is specified on the type plate and in the data sheet. In split-system air conditioners, this is almost always R32 nowadays.
R32 is a fluorinated hydrocarbon (difluoromethane) and is therefore classified as an F-gas, which the EU regulates under the F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573. R32 is a fluorinated refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 675, less than a third of that of R410A (2,088).
The global warming potential indicates how much a gas contributes to global warming compared to carbon dioxide: over a 100-year period, one kilogram of R32 has the same warming effect as 675 kilograms of CO₂. The value for R32 is set out in Annex I to the Regulation; that for R410A is derived from its composition of R32 and R125 (GWP 3,500).
Why do split air conditioners use R32 today?
Since 1 January 2025, new mono-split air conditioners containing less than 3 kg of refrigerant may no longer be placed on the market if the refrigerant has a global warming potential (GWP) of 750 or more, such as R410A with a GWP of 2,088 (Regulation (EU) 2024/573, Annex IV, No. 9(a)). R32, with a GWP of 675, falls below this threshold.
All split sets in the range are filled with R32, including the wall-mounted units from Hantech and TCL, as well as the multi-split sets and the Quick-Connect sets, which are grouped together under ‘Quick-Connect air conditioners’.
What will change from 2029?
From 1 January 2029, split air conditioners and split heat pumps (air-to-air) up to 12 kW may no longer be placed on the market if their refrigerant has a global warming potential of 150 or more (Regulation (EU) 2024/573, Annex IV, No. 9(c)). This also applies to units using R32. The ban applies to the first placing on the market of new units; a unit that has already been purchased and installed may continue to be operated.
Which refrigerants are used in the appliances in the range?
| Device group | Refrigerant as per the data sheet |
|---|---|
| Split air conditioners (wall-mounted units, multi-split systems, cassette units, floor-standing units) | R32 |
| Mobile air conditioners (monoblock) | R290 |
| Hantech mobile split air conditioners | two R290 models, one R32 |
| Dehumidifier | R290 |
| Monoblock heat pumps | Hantech R290, TCL R32 |
R290 is propane, a natural, fluorine-free refrigerant. In our product range, it is used in portable air conditioners, dehumidifiers and Hantech’s monoblock heat pumps. We do not stock appliances containing R410A.
Who is authorised to install an R32 air conditioner?
For their sale, Article 11(7) of the F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 and Section 15(3) of the ChemKlimaschutzV require proof that a certified specialist company has been commissioned to carry out the installation. This also applies to the Quick-Connect sets, whose refrigerant lines are pre-charged at the factory and connected via quick-connect couplings; these are also charged with R32. You are responsible for commissioning the specialist contractor yourself; installation is not included in the purchase. Details of how we request proof of this after you have placed your order can be found under ‘Professional installation of your air conditioner’.
Portable air conditioners and dehumidifiers are set up and plugged into a socket.
All sets can be found under ‘Split air conditioners’ and ‘Multi-split air conditioners’. Information on how a split air conditioner heats in winter can be found under ‘Heating with air conditioning’.
Split air conditioners with R32
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