EU refrigerant regulations increase service costs for Czech air‑conditioners

The European Union adopted Regulation 2024/573, which phases out high‑global‑warming‑potential refrigerants such as R‑410A and R‑407C and requires certified technicians for servicing equipment that uses these gases. While the rules do not ban the use of air‑conditioners, they will make servicing older units more expensive and limit the availability of certain refrigerants.

A recent Ipsos survey for Stiebel Eltron found that more than 60 % of Czech households now consider home cooling essential, with half of the population contemplating the purchase of cooling devices as heat waves intensify. About 15 % already own a split air‑conditioner, mainly using it intermittently, while many rely on fans and night‑time ventilation. The new EU rules are expected to affect owners of older systems, potentially influencing the growing demand for newer, low‑GWP units and alternative solutions such as reversible heat pumps.