What is F-Gas certification and how do I check an installer has it?

Air conditioning systems contain fluorinated refrigerant gases (F-Gases). They’re powerful greenhouse gases if they leak, so the law controls who can handle them. In Great Britain, anyone installing, servicing or repairing a split system has to hold the right F-Gas qualification.

There are two parts to it, and a legitimate installer should have both:

• Company certification: the business itself is certified to carry out F-Gas work. This is issued by an approved certification body, such as REFCOM (opens in a new tab).
• Personal certification: each engineer who connects pipework or handles refrigerant holds an individual F-Gas qualification.

• Manufacturers usually won’t honour a warranty if the system wasn’t installed and commissioned by a certified company.
• Refrigerant that isn’t handled properly can leak, which reduces performance and can damage the system.
• Uncertified installation can cause problems with home insurance and when you sell the property.

1. Ask for the company’s F-Gas certificate number and the name of the certification body.
2. Check the number on that body’s public register. REFCOM, for example, has an online register of certified companies.
3. Ask whether the engineers doing your job hold personal F-Gas certificates, and whether any of the work is subcontracted.
4. Check the company name on the certificate matches the company quoting you.

• Electrical: a new circuit is usually notifiable under Building Regulations. Installers registered with a competent person scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT, can self-certify it. Otherwise it has to go through building control.
• Insurance: ask for proof of public liability insurance.
• Manufacturer accreditation: some brands approve installers, which can mean a longer warranty.

See our questions to ask an installer for a full checklist.