Most air conditioning systems contain fluorinated gases (F gases) as refrigerant, which are controlled under the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015. Any work that involves opening the refrigerant circuit must be carried out by an engineer with the correct F gas qualifications, and owners of larger systems have a legal duty to have them checked for leaks and to get any leak repaired as soon as possible.

For businesses, a broken system can also become a health and safety issue. Regulation 7 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requires employers to keep indoor temperatures reasonable, which is harder to manage in offices, shops and server rooms when the cooling fails during a hot spell. Getting a fault fixed quickly helps you stay compliant and keeps your staff and customers comfortable.