F-gas leak checks and records
Mandatory leak checks, labelling and records for systems above the threshold. Priced before we book, with a written report after.
- Price confirmed before booking
- Every system listed and checked
- Records you can show an inspector
What is an F-gas leak check?
An F-gas leak check is a legally required inspection of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment containing fluorinated gases at or above 5 tonnes CO2 equivalent. A certified engineer checks the system for leaks at set intervals — at least every 12 months from 5 tonnes, every 6 months from 50 tonnes, every 3 months from 500 tonnes — and the operator must keep records.
In the UK, guide prices are about £145–£245 per visit, first system, plus VAT. A typical job (leak checks on 3–6 systems in one visit) is £275–£870 plus VAT.
The F-gas rules put the duty on the operator of the equipment — usually the business that has control of it, not the installer. If your systems are above the threshold, you need leak checks at the right frequency, certified engineers doing the work, and records you can produce if asked.
The threshold is set in tonnes of CO2 equivalent, not kilograms. For R410A (GWP 2,088) a charge of just under 2.4 kg reaches 5 tonnes CO2e; for R32 (GWP 675) it takes about 7.4 kg. We work out the CO2e of every system so you know exactly which need checks and how often.
Where it suits
- VRF and larger split systems
- Multi-unit offices and retail
- Restaurants and hotels
- Landlords and managing agents
- Schools and public buildings
- Anyone unsure of their F-gas duties
What is included
- Refrigerant type, charge and CO2e calculation for each system
- Leak check by an F-gas certified engineer
- Direct and indirect checks to the required method
- Labels and records updated
- Leak repair quote if a leak is found
- Follow-up check within one month of any repair
How the work is carried out
Asset check
We record each system's refrigerant type and charge and calculate its CO2e.
Set the frequency
Each system gets the legal interval for its CO2e and any automatic leak detection.
Check
The engineer checks joints, valves, components and operating data for signs of leakage.
Record
Results are recorded and kept on your F-gas log for at least five years.
F-gas leak checks prices
National guide prices for 2026. Local pages show prices adjusted for each region.
| Item | Guide price (ex VAT) | Inc VAT | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leak check, first system (includes attendance) | £145–£245 | £174–£294 | per visit |
| Each additional system, same visit | £65–£125 | £78–£150 | per system |
| F-gas asset register set-up | Up to £395 | Up to £474 | per site |
| Automatic leak detection system | £795–£2,950 | £954–£3,540 | per system |
Ex VAT. Leak checks are often combined with a service visit at no extra attendance charge.
Leak repairs are quoted separately.
Typical job: leak checks on 3–6 systems in one visit — £275–£870 plus VAT.
Things to plan for
Operator duty
The legal duty sits with the operator — the person or business with actual control over the equipment.
Certified engineers
Leak checks must be done by an engineer holding the right F-gas certification.
Repairs
If a leak is found it must be repaired without undue delay and re-checked within one month.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland follows the EU F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 rather than the GB rules. For HFC systems the leak-check thresholds and intervals are the same; it also requires checks on equipment holding 1 kg or more of certain other fluorinated gases, such as HFO refrigerants.
Questions about F-gas leak checks
Which systems need F-gas leak checks?
In Great Britain, equipment containing F-gas at or above 5 tonnes CO2 equivalent (with exemptions for some hermetically sealed equipment below 10 tonnes). Many VRF and larger split systems qualify.
How often are leak checks needed?
At least every 12 months from 5 tonnes CO2e, every 6 months from 50 tonnes, and every 3 months from 500 tonnes. Where automatic leak detection is fitted, each interval doubles to 24, 12 and 6 months.
Who is responsible for F-gas compliance?
The operator of the equipment — normally the business with control over it. Contractors do the checks; the operator must make sure they happen and keep records.
How long must records be kept?
For at least five years, covering refrigerant type and quantity, additions and recoveries, leak-check dates and results, and who carried out the work.
What is CO2 equivalent?
The refrigerant charge in kilograms multiplied by its global warming potential (GWP), divided by 1,000. It puts every refrigerant on the same scale.
Premises we fit this for
F-gas leak checks near you
Choose your county or region for local guide prices and the towns we cover.
England
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- County Durham
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- London
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
Scotland
What happens next
Tell us what you need
Use the form, the quote tool, live chat or call us. A postcode and the type of premises is enough to start.
Survey or visit
For mainland installations we survey free of charge. Service and repair visits, and travel to remote locations, are priced before we book.
Written quote
You get the specification, the price and the programme in writing, including any landlord or planning points.
Work and handover
We install, service or repair around your hours, then hand over the commissioning and F-gas records.
Tell us about your premises
Send a few details and we will arrange a survey or call you back with a guide price.