Growing need for F-Gas technicians: AREA highlights training gaps
Around 370,000 refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) personnel are F-Gas certified in the 18 EU countries covered by AREA membership.
In 2023-2024, the AREA (Association of European Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors) conducted a survey among its member associations, covering 18 EU countries.
According to their results published in December 2024, about 370,000 refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) personnel are F-Gas certified. Their previous survey was published in 2021.
Country |
Number of F-gas certified personnel |
Country |
Number of F-gas certified personnel |
Country |
Number of F-gas certified personnel |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austria | 3,970 | France | 50,000 | Portugal | 6,536 |
Belgium | 9,742 | Germany | 63,900 | Slovakia | 1,728 |
Croatia | 2,434 | Greece | 10,600 | Spain | 56,000 |
Czech Republic | 7,126 | Ireland | 4,800 | Sweden | 8,716 |
Denmark | 5,944 | Italy | 79,281 | Total for 18 EU countries covered by AREA membership | 368,872 |
Estonia | 430 | Netherlands | 3,200 | Norway | 4,037 |
Finland | 11,220 | Poland | 43,245 | Turkey | 5,000 |
Grand total | 377,909 |
Considering the product bans and phase down included in the new F-gas Regulation adopted in February 2024, there is a risk of shortage of contractors trained on alternative refrigerants in the coming year. AREA estimates that about 150 000 technicians will be needed to achieve the European objectives of installing at least 10 million additional heat pumps by 2027.
Furthermore, by 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). The sector will need personnel trained to handle alternative refrigerants.
Currently, only 21% of F-gas certified personal are trained to handle CO2 (R744) and 12% on ammonia (R717). Concerning hydrocarbon refrigerants, 29% of F-gas certified personal are trained to handle small hydrocarbon equipment and 19% are trained for large equipment. 40% are trained to handle HFOs.
Sources
AREA. 19 December 2024. https://area-eur.be/news/results-last-area-internal-survey-training-certification-f-gases-and-alternative-refrigerants
AREA. 25 January 2021. https://area-eur.be/index.php/news/mandatory-certification-alternative-refrigerants-time-now