Several German HVACR industry associations are urging the federal government to extend the “Kälte-Klima-Richtlinie” subsidy program beyond its current expiration date at the end of 2026. The program supports the installation and retrofit of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump systems using non-halogenated refrigerants—an important measure for achieving national climate protection goals.
In a joint statement addressed to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), and parliamentary economic and environmental policy spokespersons, the associations BIV, BTGA, Bundesfachschule Kälte-Klima-Technik, FGK, RLT-Herstellerverband, and VDKF emphasized the need to continue the program. They argue that the financial burden on operators to invest in systems using alternative refrigerants is unlikely to decrease significantly by 2026.
The background for this request is the increasing regulatory pressure on operators using fluorinated refrigerants (F-gases), due to the revised EU F-Gas Regulation. This pressure could intensify further if the proposed PFAS restrictions are implemented, potentially limiting the use of many F-gases.
Systems using alternative refrigerants—such as ammonia, hydrocarbons, or carbon dioxide—which are not affected by the F-Gas Regulation or the proposed PFAS ban, are often considerably more expensive than those using F-gases. In some cases, the cost can be double. Larger refrigeration systems, which are custom-designed and built, offer little potential for cost reduction through economies of scale.
“Continuing the subsidy program beyond 2026 would help ease the financial strain on operators in economically challenging times,” the associations stated.
