The proportion of F-gas certified personnel trained on alternatives has significantly increased in Europe since our last survey published in 2021. This is one of the main outcomes of an internal survey which also looked at F-Gas certification. However, with the new product bans and phase down included in the new F-gas Regulation adopted in February 2024, we can predict than our initial forecast that more than 115 000 technicians will need to be trained in the coming years is underestimated.
Around 367,000 refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) personnel are F-Gas certified in the 18 EU countries covered by AREA membership.
Based on the data shared by 16 national members, we gladly note that the proportion of F-gas certified personnel trained on alternatives has significantly increased since our last survey published in 2021. In the European Union, HFOs has the highest rate with 40%, but with the most important differences between the countries, from 0 to 100%. HCs score 29% and 19%, depending on whether the equipment is small or large. We also estimate that 21% of F-gas certified personal are trained on CO2 and 12% on Ammonia.
Considering the new product bans and phase down included in the new F-gas Regulation adopted in February 2024, the risk of shortage of contractors trained on alternative refrigerants in the coming year cannot be ignored. Fortunately, the mandatory certification on alternative refrigerants introduced in the new Regulation is a key aspect to increase the number of contractors with the necessary level of competence to ensure safe, efficient and reliable handling of these refrigerants.
Still, we can predict that our initial forecast that more than 115 000 technicians will need to be trained in the coming years is underestimated considering the ambitious phase down adopted by the EU Institutions.
Looking at the EU objectives for the roll-out of heat pumps, we can approximate that 150 000 technicians will be needed to achieve the European objectives of installing at least 10 million additional heat pumps by 2027, whereas this number increase to 300 000 technicians for a total additional deployment of 30 million or more heat pumps by 2030 (as compared to 2020).
The RACHP sector must also already looking further ahead: A new era with a minimum role for F-gases will start from 2030: The phase-out schedule will have reached a point where the use of F-gas will only be possible for maintenance (with mainly reclaimed refrigerants). Consequently, this means that the whole sector must be trained, certified and equipped for a future without F-gas from 2030.
