As of January 1, 2027, the F-Gas regulation marks a turning point for the swimming pool heat pump market. Beyond a regulatory change, the entire sector is entering a new phase, with direct impacts on the technologies used, the product ranges available, and the strategic choices to be made.
The F-Gas III regulation aims to significantly reduce the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases (HFCs, hydrofluorocarbons), with a target of -95% emissions by 2050.
It follows a progressive timeline with several key milestones:
For the swimming pool heat pump market, the shift begins as early as 2027, leading to a lasting transformation of product standards.
These developments are not purely regulatory.
They directly impact:
The market is not just evolving regulations — it is redefining its standards.
In response to these developments, R290 is gradually becoming the reference for swimming pool heat pumps.
This refrigerant offers several key advantages:
This gap explains the ongoing transition in the market.
| Refrigerant | GWP* |
| R290 | 3 |
| R32 | 675 |
*GWP: Global Warming Potential
The transition to R290 is not limited to a simple change of refrigerant.
It requires a broader evolution of heat pump design:
A well-designed R290 heat pump can achieve high levels of performance.
However, these developments also have an impact on manufacturing costs.
While the transition to R290 is widely announced, the reality of the market is more nuanced.
We observe:
True mastery of the technology is becoming a key differentiating factor.
If the transition to R290 is underway, not all market players currently have the same level of expertise.
At POLYTROPIC, this shift has been part of a long-term approach.
The first R290 heat pumps were introduced as early as 2018, with the GREEN290, CARE290 and ELITE290 ranges.
Today, this represents more than 6 years of experience with this refrigerant.
This experience ensures:
The transition to R290 is now underway and is part of a broader evolution of the swimming pool heat pump market.
It involves:
The choice of refrigerant is becoming a strategic factor for the years ahead.
Units already on the market may continue to be sold on a transitional basis, but their manufacture and import will be discontinued from 2027 onwards.
It is not a direct requirement. However, regulatory constraints linked to F-Gas 2027 are gradually making high-GWP alternatives less viable for swimming pool heat pumps.
The market is therefore clearly moving towards very low-GWP refrigerants, such as R290.
R290 offers a very low GWP (3) along with strong thermodynamic performance, making it a suitable solution for the market’s evolving requirements.
Yes, the transition is already underway across the market. However, not all players have reached the same level of maturity in developing and integrating this technology.
At POLYTROPIC, we already have several years of hands-on experience with R290, with solutions proven in real-world conditions.
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