Refrigerant changes and the high street

Changes coming to a high street near you will have a major impact on the retail sector and the technology needed to keep customers comfortable.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment that uses refrigerant gases are controlled by the EU’s F-Gas Regulations, and these not only ban gases which can damage the ozone layer but also now restrict the use of refrigerants that have a high global warming potential (GWP).

Because of the contribution these gases make to climate change, the EU and UK are placing tighter controls on how and where they can be used. F Gas also places a requirement on the need for regular servicing of systems, which includes record-keeping of any refrigerants used.

Looking for reductions

HVAC systems deliver comfort to the High Street by providing a cool place to browse in the summer and a warm respite in winter, encouraging shoppers to linger longer.

Yet the UK retail sector is at a crucial turning point. Driven by changing legislation, evolving consumer expectations and heightened investor scrutiny, retailers are facing growing pressure to decarbonise their operations and reach targets for net zero.

At the same time, the majority are having to navigate these demands against a backdrop of tighter budgets, fluctuating interest rates and wider economic uncertainty; all of which, in turn, are impacting consumer spending and shopping habits.

Progressing on sustainability against this backdrop is no easy feat. Yet with the built environment now accounting for a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions, decarbonising retail buildings has a crucial role in these targets being met.

This means that the age and type of HVAC systems used, and the choice of refrigerants will have an impact not only on the energy use of the retailer and its operations, but also the carbon footprint of the nation.

Forward-thinking retailers are examining how their buildings operate to find savings in running costs and carbon emissions, while future-proofing their operations in line with F-Gas changes.

Lower GWP

The F-Gas Regulations are already in place and are gradually limiting the amount of these gases allowed on the market. In 2025, the next phase of restrictions has already begun to bite - and they’re likely to affect anyone with older air conditioning systems.

The most common higher-GWP refrigerants are becoming more expensive and harder to source. By 2027, several types of HVAC equipment, especially compact systems typically used in shops and salons, will no longer be available to buy if they contain certain refrigerants.

In simple terms: if you run a high street property with heating or cooling systems installed more than 10–15 years ago, now is the time to start reviewing what you have and find out whether it’s compliant with what’s coming.

Why this matters for retailers

According to government data, over 60% of non-domestic properties in England and Wales were built before 1939. That means many stores are working with ageing infrastructure, including heating and cooling systems that are well past their prime.

What’s more, many of the systems installed in the early 2000s use refrigerants that are being phased down under the F-Gas Regulations.

These older systems may still operate for now, but they’re likely to become more difficult and expensive to service over the next few years. With refrigerant supply tightening and prices already showing signs of volatility, waiting until a system fails could be an expensive mistake.

Functioning air conditioning that runs on R22 for example, can only use recycled or reclaimed R22 and will need completely replacing as soon as they fail or need significant repairs.

Systems using R410A or R407C are also starting to face restrictions due to their high GWP, which is why retailers should consider moving to air conditioning using R32 or even the new versions running on R290.

These are modern refrigerants that not only meet the new rules but also offer improved efficiency. For example, systems that use R32 - a refrigerant with a significantly lower GWP than R410A - are widely available today and are often ideal for high street retrofit projects.

Some models are also specifically designed to re-use the pipework and cabling from older systems, which means retailers can upgrade their HVAC without a full-scale refurbishment. This keeps installation costs down, reduces disruption to trading, and avoids the carbon cost of replacing perfectly good infrastructure.

A strategic opportunity for the sector

Planning ahead also makes sense in the context of tightening energy efficiency standards. Government proposals suggest that by 2030, all non-domestic buildings may need to meet an EPC rating of B to remain lettable. HVAC upgrades can play a major role in improving a building’s performance - particularly when older systems account for a large share of total energy use.

With pressures on costs, carbon, and compliance, HVAC might not always seem like a top priority in modern retail. But it’s a critical system that directly impacts customer comfort, operating costs, and environmental performance. For larger retailers managing multiple stores, it’s also a major opportunity to reduce emissions and demonstrate leadership in sustainability.

By understanding what the F-Gas phase down means - and acting early - retailers can avoid reactive decisions, control long-term costs, and protect the value of their buildings. Most importantly, they can make sure their HVAC systems continue to serve their customers and staff efficiently and safely for years to come.

We have just released a white paper on how retailers can plan to hit net zero 

You can also download our free guide on HVAC Retrofit for the high street by clicking here.

James McKoen is Business Development Manager