How New UK HVAC Regulations Will Impact Chiller Installation in 2026

If you are planning a new chiller installation in the UK, upgrading ageing plant, or preparing a capital investment case for 2026, regulatory change is no longer a background consideration — it is a primary design driver.

The next phase of UK HVAC regulations will significantly influence industrial and commercial chiller installations, affecting everything from refrigerant selection and system efficiency to plantroom design, documentation, and long-term operating costs. For end users, consultants, and facilities teams, compliance is now inseparable from performance, sustainability, and asset resilience.

At Cooltherm, we work daily with organisations navigating these changes — helping them specify, install, and maintain future-proof chiller systems that meet today’s needs without falling foul of tomorrow’s legislation.

What UK HVAC Regulations Are Changing in 2026?

Several overlapping regulatory frameworks are converging in 2026, each with direct implications for industrial chiller regulations and system design.

Key drivers include:

• The UK’s post-Brexit update to F-Gas Regulation
• Tightening energy efficiency requirements under Building Regulations Part L
• Net Zero policy alignment with Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
• Increased scrutiny through TM44 Inspections

Together, these changes raise the compliance bar for chiller installation in the UK, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, data centres, healthcare, education, and process cooling.

How Will F-Gas Rules Affect Chiller Installation in the UK?

Short answer: refrigerant choice now dictates system viability.

The shift away from high-GWP refrigerants

The UK’s F-Gas regime continues to phase down high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. For chiller installations beyond 2026, this means fewer viable HFC options

Increased adoption of low-GWP refrigerants such as:

• R1234ze
• R513A (transitional)
• R290 (propane), where risk-assessed and appropriate
• Greater focus on refrigerant availability, serviceability, and lifecycle compliance

What this means for chiller projects

• Refrigerant selection must happen early in the design stage
• Plantroom layouts may need adaptation for flammability classifications
• Future refrigerant bans must be considered across the full asset lifespan

This is why F-Gas compliant chillers are no longer a “nice to have”, they are essential to protecting long-term CAPEX.

How Do Part L Energy Efficiency Rules Impact Chiller Design?

Energy efficiency is no longer assessed in isolation, it is evaluated as part of the wider building and system performance.

Part L implications for chillers

Under updated Building Regulations Part L, chiller systems are expected to demonstrate:

• Higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios (SEER)
• Optimised part-load performance
• Intelligent control integration
• Reduced carbon intensity across operation

For many legacy systems, this means like-for-like replacement is no longer acceptable.

Practical design considerations

• Variable-speed and oil-free compressor technologies
• Heat recovery or hybrid system integration
• 4-pipe and polyvalent system designs where simultaneous heating and cooling exist

What Does TM44 Mean for Existing and New Chillers?

TM44 inspections are becoming increasingly influential in replacement decisions.

Why TM44 matters

A poor TM44 inspection outcome can:

• Highlight non-compliance with efficiency benchmarks
• Trigger recommendations for system replacement
• Influence ESG reporting and funding approvals

For organisations planning chiller upgrades, TM44 findings are often the catalyst for action, especially where older systems are running high-GWP refrigerants or operating inefficiently at part load.

How Will These Regulations Change Chiller Installation Costs?

Upfront CAPEX
Yes, compliant systems can carry a higher initial cost — but that is only part of the picture.

Whole-life cost reality
Modern, regulation-aligned chiller systems typically deliver:

• Lower energy consumption
• Reduced maintenance intervention
• Greater refrigerant longevity
• Improved resilience against regulatory obsolescence
• The ROI of compliant chiller installation increasingly favours investment now over forced replacement later.

What Should Facilities Managers and Consultants Do Now?

If your organisation is planning a chiller project for 2026 or beyond, the strategic approach should include:

• Early regulatory risk assessment
• Refrigerant roadmap planning
• Lifecycle cost modelling (not just install cost)
• Alignment with Net Zero and ESG objectives
• Engagement with specialists who understand both compliance and real-world operation

This is where experience matters.

How Cooltherm Supports Compliant Chiller Installation

Cooltherm has been delivering compliant HVAC and industrial chiller solutions across the UK for more than 30 years.

We support clients through:

Regulatory-led system design
Low-GWP and future-ready chiller specification
Installation and commissioning to current UK HVAC standards
Long-term service and compliance support

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Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the key UK HVAC regulations affecting chiller installation in 2026?

A: The most impactful regulations include updated UK F-Gas rules, Building Regulations Part L energy efficiency requirements, and TM44 inspection compliance.

Can I still install an HFC chiller in the UK after 2026?

A: In limited cases, yes, but options are shrinking rapidly, and long-term refrigerant availability and compliance risk must be carefully assessed.

Are low-GWP chillers more expensive?

A: Initial costs can be higher, but whole-life operating costs are often lower due to improved efficiency and reduced regulatory risk.

Do existing chillers need to be replaced?

A: Not always, but older systems using high-GWP refrigerants or performing poorly under TM44 inspections are increasingly likely candidates.

Preparing for 2026 Starts Now

UK HVAC regulations are not just changing how chillers are installed, they are redefining what a “good” system looks like.

Organisations that act early will gain:

• Regulatory confidence
• Operational efficiency
• Long-term asset security
• Those that delay risk higher costs, rushed decisions, and compromised performance.

Planning a chiller installation or upgrade for 2026?

Speak to one of our experts about your site requirements. We can arrange a free site visit, review your compliance risks, or provide a detailed quotation if your specifications are ready.