R32 vs R290 in commercial installs - what refrigerant matters

The refrigerant is the fluid that moves heat around inside an air conditioner. Most UK commercial installs use R32 in 2026. A growing number use R290. If you are buying commercial cooling this year, you should know which and why.

The short version

• R32 is the current UK commercial standard. It works, service networks are mature, kit is easy to source.
• R290 (propane) is more efficient and has a lower global warming impact but needs more careful installation. Best for larger commercial jobs.
• For most small commercial jobs (offices under 200 square metres) R32 is still the right answer.

What the numbers mean

Refrigerants are measured by GWP - Global Warming Potential. Lower is better for the environment.

• R410A (old standard, being phased out): GWP 2,088
• R32 (current standard): GWP 675
• R290 (newer option): GWP 3

R290 is a natural gas (propane). Small quantities are used in domestic fridges and freezers all over the UK. Its GWP is essentially zero.

Why R32 is still the default in 2026

Three practical reasons:

1. Service network breadth. Every commercial installer in the UK is F-Gas trained on R32. R290 requires additional certification not every engineer has yet.
2. Kit price. R290 systems cost about 15-20% more upfront than the equivalent R32 system. The environmental gain does not always justify that on a small commercial job.
3. Installation constraints. R290 is flammable in higher concentrations. Building regulations restrict where R290 units can be installed - not in confined interior spaces, not near ignition sources, minimum room volume requirements.

For a small office in a normal commercial building, R32 fits every constraint and installs anywhere.

When R290 makes sense in 2026

Three commercial scenarios where R290 earns its place:

1. Larger installs. A VRF system for a 500+ square metre office uses much more refrigerant than a small cassette job. The environmental impact scales up. R290’s near-zero GWP genuinely matters at that volume.
2. Businesses with visible sustainability commitments. Companies with public net-zero targets or ESG reporting will find R290 install worth the paperwork. It is a real difference, not greenwashing.
3. Any install being done for a system that will run 24/7 for a decade. Data centres, server rooms, food storage. Long duty cycles amplify the environmental difference.

When R290 is not the right answer

Three scenarios where R32 remains the correct choice:

1. Small offices under 200 square metres. The refrigerant volume is small enough that GWP difference is negligible in absolute terms.
2. Tight interior spaces without room for the R290 minimum room volume calculation. If the plant room is small, R290 may not be legally installable.
3. Any building where the installer network in your area does not yet have R290 accreditation. Two installers in the North West have it in 2026. Domestic installers largely do not.

The regulatory picture in 2026

R32 has passed its first F-Gas regulatory review. It is not being phased out in 2026 or 2027. Expect it to remain the mainstream commercial refrigerant until at least 2030.

R290 uptake is voluntary. There is no legal push toward it for commercial cooling. Compare to the R410A phase-out (which was mandated) - R290 is opt-in.

That may change in the 2028-2030 F-Gas review. If it does, existing R32 installs will not become illegal. They will be serviced until end of life, then replaced with whatever the standard is at replacement time.

What to ask an installer in 2026

If you are getting quotes for a commercial install now:

1. What refrigerant does your quote assume? Confirm R32 in writing.
2. What is your R290 certification status? A commercial installer who can offer both is better placed than one who can only quote R32.
3. What is the leak check frequency for the refrigerant volume in the proposed system? R32 systems above certain thresholds need quarterly leak checks. R290 systems below the threshold need annual.
4. Is there any regulatory expectation you know about for the next five years? An installer who reads industry press will give you a fair answer. One who does not will hedge.

What NOT to do

Do not accept a quote that specifies R410A in 2026. It is being phased out, servicing costs climb every year, and no serious installer would recommend it for a new install now.

Do not upgrade a working R410A system to R290 for environmental reasons alone. The whole-system replacement cost outweighs the ongoing refrigerant impact for most commercial jobs. Wait until end of natural life.

Get three commercial quotes

Tick “My business” at the top of the quote form and mention refrigerant preference in the comments if you have one. Every installer on our network is F-Gas certified. The ones with R290 accreditation will note it in the quote.

Three fixed quotes back within 24 hours.