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HFC (single component) · ASHRAE 34 safety group A2L

R-32 GWP and CO₂e

Difluoromethane. Current. The mainstream lower-GWP replacement for R-410A in splits, VRF and small packaged plant.

Great Britain

675

Retained Regulation (EU) No 517/2014, Annex I (AR4 basis)

EU / Northern Ireland

675

Regulation (EU) 2024/573, Annex I (AR4 basis, footnote 2)

The figure is the same in both regimes. Both state their values on an IPCC Fourth Assessment Report basis for this substance, so a number quoted from AR5 or AR6 will not match the one that governs compliance.

Charge in kg → tonnes CO₂e

t CO₂e = charge (kg) × GWP ÷ 1,000. This figure, not the charge in kilograms, is what sets the statutory leak-check frequency.

Charget CO₂e (GB)t CO₂e (EU/NI)
1 kg0.680.68
2 kg1.351.35
5 kg3.383.38
10 kg6.756.75
20 kg13.5013.50
50 kg33.7533.75
100 kg67.5067.50

Leak-check thresholds in kg

The regulations set the bands in tonnes CO₂e. Converted to a charge of R-32, the duty starts at these weights.

BandCharge (GB)Charge (EU/NI)Check at leastWith leak detection
≥5 t CO₂e7.41 kg7.41 kgAt least every 12 monthsEvery 24 months
≥50 t CO₂e74.1 kg74.1 kgAt least every 6 monthsEvery 12 months
≥500 t CO₂e741 kg741 kgAt least every 3 monthsEvery 6 months

Automatic leak detection is mandatory at 500 tonnes CO₂e and above. Hermetically sealed equipment labelled as such is exempt below 10 tonnes CO₂e. Records must be kept for at least five years. Sources: retained Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 Articles 4–6, Regulation (EU) 2024/573 Articles 5–7, and GOV.UK guidance on checking F-gas equipment for leaks.

Where you meet R-32

  • •Split and multi-split air conditioning
  • •VRF and VRV systems installed from around 2015
  • •Small packaged and rooftop units
  • •Air-to-water heat pumps

Maintenance checklists for plant that runs on it

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System maintenance checklistSplit System Air Conditioning maintenance checklistAir Source Heat Pump (ASHP) maintenance checklistPackaged Rooftop Unit (RTU) maintenance checklistFan Coil Unit (FCU) maintenance checklist
Work out a specific chargeCompare all 10 refrigerants

Frequently asked questions

What is the GWP of R-32?
675, and the same figure applies in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland. The source is Retained Regulation (EU) No 517/2014, Annex I (AR4 basis). Both regimes state their values on an IPCC Fourth Assessment Report basis for these substances, so figures quoted from AR5 or AR6 will differ from the ones that actually govern compliance.
How do I convert an R-32 charge into tonnes CO₂e?
Multiply the charge in kilograms by the GWP and divide by 1,000. A 10 kg charge of R-32 is 6.75 tonnes CO₂e in Great Britain. That figure is what sets the statutory leak-check frequency, not the charge in kilograms.
At what charge does R-32 need leak checks?
The duty starts at 5 tonnes CO₂e, which for R-32 is about 7.41 kg in Great Britain. Six-monthly checks start at 50 tonnes (74.1 kg) and quarterly at 500 tonnes (741 kg), where an automatic leak detection system also becomes mandatory. Fitting leak detection doubles the interval at every band. Hermetically sealed equipment labelled as such is exempt below 10 tonnes CO₂e.
Where is R-32 used?
Split and multi-split air conditioning; VRF and VRV systems installed from around 2015; Small packaged and rooftop units; Air-to-water heat pumps. Current. The mainstream lower-GWP replacement for R-410A in splits, VRF and small packaged plant.