Energy Efficiency in the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Sector
Who this portal is for
Industry, institutions, technicians and importers — what the transition means for each.
This portal is for those who decide on cooling equipment or work with it. Find your case below.
Industry and manufacturing
Food processing, cold stores, breweries, dairies, pharmaceuticals, chemicals.
Cooling can account for up to 60% of your electricity use. That means even a small efficiency improvement pays back quickly.
Where to start:
- Check which refrigerant is in your equipment and whether it falls under the quota — that tells you whether its price will rise in the coming years
- If you operate a system with a charge of 3 kg or more, the law requires regular leak checks and record keeping
- Before any major investment, carry out an energy audit to see exactly where consumption comes from
Institutions and public buildings
Ministries, municipalities, hospitals, schools, universities, museums.
The revised EU directive extends the renovation obligation to all public buildings over 250 m². In 2025 a national plan was adopted covering 14 buildings with a combined 102,992 m².
Where to start:
- In public procurement of air conditioners, require the minimum SEER and SCOP values — inefficient equipment will not be allowed on the market
- Hospitals use nearly three times more energy per square metre than office buildings, because they run around the clock under stricter air requirements
- Check whether your equipment is registered and labelled as the regulations require
Service technicians
Service companies, installers, designers.
The new refrigerants call for new habits. Classes A2L and A3 are flammable, ammonia is toxic, and CO₂ operates at pressures up to 120 bar. Each has its own installation and maintenance conditions.
Where to start:
- Handling refrigerants requires a valid licence — the categories are set out in the Regulation published in Official Gazette 259/21
- Register for the workshops; the next one is open for registration
- The Manual covers the ASHRAE 34 classification, leak detection methods and inspection intervals
Importers and equipment retailers
Importers of air conditioners and refrigerants, showrooms.
The HFC import quota shrinks on a set schedule. The first 10% cut takes effect in 2029, and by 2045 imports are reduced to 20% of the original average.
Where to start:
- Look at the quota schedule to plan your product range
- High-GWP refrigerants will become more expensive as the quota tightens
- Eco-design requirements determine what may be placed on the market
If you are not sure where you fit
Start with the refrigerant overview. Enter the refrigerant in your equipment — it is printed on the outdoor unit label — and you will see whether it is banned, under quota or approved, and what replaces it.