Heat Pumps · Glossary
Refrigerant R410A
A legacy HFC refrigerant blend with GWP 2,088, now being phased out under F-Gas regulations and rare in new heat pump installations.
R410A was the dominant heat pump and air-conditioning refrigerant from the early 2000s through the mid-2010s. Its high Global Warming Potential of 2,088 means it is being aggressively phased down by the EU and UK F-Gas Regulations, with quota cuts pushing prices up sharply.
If you have a heat pump installed before 2018, it is most likely on R410A. There is no urgent need to replace it — it can continue to be serviced — but be aware that refrigerant top-up costs have roughly tripled since 2020, and component spares are becoming scarcer.
For any new install in 2026, we recommend an R290 monobloc unit. R32 is still acceptable, but R290 future-proofs against further F-Gas cuts and the proposed PFAS restrictions. See our heat pump installation page for replacement options or contact us for a service visit on your existing R410A system.