Glossary
Fluide frigorigène: the refrigerant in your heat pump or AC system
Quick definition
The fluide frigorigène (refrigerant) is the working fluid that circulates inside a heat pump or air conditioning system, absorbing and releasing heat as it cycles between liquid and gas states. It's what actually moves heat from one place to another. The refrigerant type appears on every quote and matters for three reasons: environmental impact (measured by GWP), future availability under EU regulations that are phasing out high-GWP refrigerants, and the contractor's certification requirements for handling it.
Which refrigerants appear on French quotes?
The refrigerant type is usually listed as an R-number. The most common in residential heat pumps and AC systems in France:
- R410A: the dominant refrigerant in residential AC and heat pumps through the 2010s and early 2020s. GWP of 2088 (2,088 times more potent than CO2 over 100 years if released). R410A is being phased out under EU F-Gas regulations and is no longer used in new residential equipment produced for the EU market. If a new system quote specifies R410A, ask why.
- R32: GWP of 675, significantly lower than R410A. Now the standard refrigerant in new residential split AC units and air-to-air heat pumps from most manufacturers. Classified as A2L (mildly flammable), which requires compliant installation but is well-understood by trained technicians.
- R290 (propane): GWP of 3, a natural refrigerant with very low environmental impact. Increasingly used in monobloc air-to-water heat pumps (the whole refrigerant circuit is outside the building). Classified as A3 (flammable), so it is not used in systems where refrigerant pipework runs inside the property.
- R454B, R466A, and others: lower-GWP alternatives entering the market for specific applications. Less common in standard residential installs but growing.
What is GWP and why does it matter?
GWP stands for Global Warming Potential: a measure of how much heat a gas traps in the atmosphere relative to CO2, over a 100-year period. A refrigerant with GWP 2088 (like R410A) released into the atmosphere has the same warming effect as 2,088 times its weight in CO2.
In normal operation, the refrigerant stays sealed inside the system and has no environmental impact. The concern is leaks, whether from a faulty installation, damaged pipework, or at end of life. This is why refrigerant type appears on quotes and why EU regulations are reducing which refrigerants can be used in new equipment.
EU F-Gas regulations: what is changing
The EU's revised F-Gas Regulation (2024/573) accelerates the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants through a complex schedule of bans and quotas. The regulation runs from 2024 through to 2030 and beyond, with restrictions tightening progressively. The practical effect on new residential equipment is already visible: from 2025, new single split AC systems using F-gases with GWP above 750 cannot be placed on the EU market, and further bans on higher-GWP refrigerants in new equipment follow in 2027. R410A (GWP 2088) has effectively disappeared from new residential equipment produced for the EU as a result.
The consequence for owners of older systems using R410A: from 2026, virgin HFC refrigerant with GWP above 2500 can no longer be used to service existing equipment. Topping up a leaking R410A system will become harder and more expensive as the supply of virgin refrigerant is gradually withdrawn. If your existing AC or heat pump uses R410A, factor this into decisions about repair versus replacement when it reaches the end of its service life.
What certification does a technician need to handle refrigerants?
Any technician who handles refrigerants in France must hold an attestation de capacité issued by a body approved by the French Ministry of Ecology. This covers the handling, recovery, and disposal of refrigerants, and it is a legal requirement. It applies to all refrigerant types, not just the high-GWP ones.
Check that the quote references this certification, or ask the installer directly. A qualified refrigeration and air conditioning technician (frigoriste) will hold it as a matter of course; it's worth confirming before work begins.
Refrigerant and system maintenance
Refrigerant circuits are sealed and should not need topping up under normal operation. If a system needs refrigerant added repeatedly, it has a leak that needs finding and fixing, not just topping up. Persistent low refrigerant reduces system efficiency, increases compressor wear, and releases greenhouse gas. Annual servicing should include a leak check, especially for systems over five years old.
What to check on a devis
A well-specified quote should state the refrigerant type. If you see R32, that's current standard. If you see R410A on a new system quote, question it. Ask the installer about the GWP, availability under current regulations, and what happens if the system needs a top-up in future.