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From 1 January 2027, new monoblock and self-contained air conditioners and heat pumps up to 50 kW may no longer be placed on the market with the refrigerant R32. This is set out in the revised F-gas Regulation of the European Union, EU 2024/573. I have been following this legislation closely for a while, I wrote earlier about the new CO2 tax on F-gases, and this time the news has direct consequences for one of our own products. So let me explain exactly what changes, what does not change, and what we at Climate King are doing to be ready for it.
What exactly does the 2027 R32 ban involve?
Let me clear up the biggest confusion straight away. The ban applies to placing new equipment on the market, so production, import and first sale within the EU. It does not apply to equipment already in use at customers, and not to products that have already been imported.
Specifically, it covers two categories that from 1 January 2027 may no longer contain a refrigerant with a GWP of 150 or higher.
Up to and including 12 kW
Self-contained or monoblock air conditioners and heat pumps up to and including 12 kW.
12 up to and including 50 kW
Self-contained or monoblock air conditioners and heat pumps of more than 12 kW up to and including 50 kW.
R32 has a GWP of 675. That is well above the new limit of 150, so for these two categories R32 is no longer permitted in new equipment from that date.
Does this apply to split air conditioners too?
No, and this is exactly where a lot of confusion arises online. Split systems get a longer transition period. Below I have set out the key dates for you.
| System type | Capacity | Ban from | Maximum GWP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monoblock, self-contained | up to and incl. 12 kW | 1 January 2027 | 150 |
| Monoblock, self-contained | 12 up to and incl. 50 kW | 1 January 2027 | 150 |
| Split air to water | up to and incl. 12 kW | 1 January 2027 | 150 |
| Split air to air | up to and incl. 12 kW | 1 January 2029 | 150 |
| Split, general | above 12 kW | 1 January 2029 | 750 |
| Split, general | above 12 kW | 1 January 2033 | 150 |
So R32 is not disappearing from the whole market in one go. The monoblock category is first in line, and that affects us directly, because our AirDeck Pro falls exactly into that category.
Do you have to replace your current R32 air conditioner?
No. I want to state this very clearly, because I currently see a fair amount of incorrect information going around that worries customers unnecessarily or pressures them into buying something quickly.
Systems lawfully placed on the market before the effective date may simply keep running. Maintenance, repair and topping up after a leak all remain possible. There is no obligation to replace a working R32 system. So if you have an AirDeck Pro or another R32 unit of ours at home or at a customer site, nothing changes about how usable it is.
Why R290 is the logical next step
The market is clearly moving towards natural refrigerants with a very low GWP, and R290, or propane, is leading the way. It has a GWP of just 3, against 675 for R32.
There is also a practical reason to choose R290 now rather than switching temporarily to an interim solution that sits just under the 2027 limit. For small monoblock systems up to 12 kW, a complete ban on all fluorinated refrigerants applies from 2032, not only on those above GWP 150. Anyone choosing a temporary solution now will have to invest again in a few years. With a GWP of 3, R290 is future-proof for the entire period currently set out in the legislation.
That does not mean R290 comes without considerations. The refrigerant falls under safety class A3, which means it is mildly flammable. That calls for careful design, installation and maintenance by certified professionals. In the Netherlands the STEK certificate is required for this, and since 29 September 2025 tightened certification requirements apply specifically to alternative refrigerants such as R290. So for our installers and partners it is important to check whether their own certification already covers this extension.
Our current AirDeck Pro runs on R32, the next generation on R290
Here is the news this article is really about. When we introduced the AirDeck Pro, it was a monoblock air to air heat pump on R32, exactly like many other products on the market right now. It is a good and reliable unit, and it stays that way for everyone who already has one.
But because the AirDeck Pro falls into the category of monoblock systems up to 50 kW, the 2027 ban affects this product directly. Rather than waiting for the deadline, we are choosing to move ahead of it. The next generation AirDeck Pro will run on R290. That way the unit comfortably meets not only the 2027 requirements, but also the stricter ones that follow after.
We will share more details in the coming period, including the exact launch and availability. Keep an eye on this page and on our partner channels.
What does this mean for our partners and resellers?
For everyone working with us, there are a couple of points to consider now.
Think about how you communicate this news to your own customers, in particular the distinction between what does and does not change for existing installations.
Get in touch with our team if you have questions about stock, planning or positioning towards the 2027 deadline.
Frequently asked questions about the R32 ban from 2027
What exactly does the R32 ban from 2027 involve?
From 1 January 2027, new monoblock and self-contained air conditioners and heat pumps up to 50 kW may no longer be placed on the market with a refrigerant that has a GWP of 150 or higher. R32 has a GWP of 675 and therefore falls under it. The ban applies to new equipment, not to systems already in use.
Do I have to replace my current R32 air conditioner before 2027?
No. The ban only applies to new equipment placed on the market after the effective date. Existing installations, including the current AirDeck Pro, may keep running, be maintained and be topped up.
Can I still buy an R32 air conditioner after 2027?
That depends on the type. For new monoblock and self-contained systems up to 50 kW the ban applies from 1 January 2027. For split air to air systems up to 12 kW the new limit only applies from 2029, and for larger split systems not until 2033.
Can my R32 system still be topped up or repaired after 2027?
Yes. Maintenance, repair and topping up after a leak remain possible for systems that were lawfully placed on the market, including after 2027.
Is R290 safe to use in an air conditioner?
R290, propane, is safe when the system is designed, installed and maintained by a certified professional. It falls under safety class A3 because it is mildly flammable, which brings specific requirements for installation and maintenance.
When will the new AirDeck Pro with R290 be available?
What we can say is that the new model will be launched in 2027. We are working on it with the whole team right now and will share more details about the launch soon.
Questions about the move to R290?
We are happy to think along with you about planning, stock and advice for your own customers. Get in touch with us, or take a look at our current range.
Sources: European Commission, F-gas Regulation EU 2024/573.
