Hot weather brings spike in illegal online sales
8th July 2026
UK: As the UK experiences record high temperatures this summer, there are growing reports of illegal sales of air conditioning equipment to the general public.
The hot weather has prompted a spike in online searches for cooling products and multiple examples of split systems containing HFC refrigerants being offered online.
Some online marketplaces were reporting that requests for air conditioning installations rose by more than 300% at the start of July and with the UK now in the grip of repeated hot spells, the industry is braced for another bounce in demand.
Online sales platforms, such as Amazon, eBay and Facebook Marketplace, carry multiple examples of split system air conditioners containing HFCs being offered to the general public. While this, in itself, is not illegal, evidence suggests that the F-gas regulation is in many cases being breached by the seller not ensuring that the air conditioner will be installed by an F-gas certified installer.
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) says that an increasing number of its members are reporting installation enquiries from members of the public who have already bought units from online retailers.
Article 11 of the F-gas regulation states that non-hermetically sealed equipment charged with fluorinated greenhouse gases shall only be sold to the end user where evidence is provided that the installation is to be carried out by an F-gas certified undertaking.
Some sellers point out that the unit must be installed by a “professional” installer, while others state more clearly that it must be an F-gas qualified engineer, but it is apparent that in many cases no evidence is being sought or provided prior to the sale.
The Environment Agency has previously prosecuted online sellers for failing to establish the credentials of the buyer, but the practice has continued and accelerated again recently, according to BESA.
“Most professional merchants and wholesalers are well aware of their obligations and take a responsible approach, but online sales remain something of an Achilles heel,” said BESA’s technical director Kevin Morrissey.
“Anyone selling specialised air conditioning and heat pump equipment must be able to prove they received confirmation from the buyer that the equipment would be installed by someone holding a valid F-gas handling certificate or by an F-gas registered contractor.”
He added that there was “genuine frustration” among certified companies who invest in training to make sure their technical skills are up to date, when they witness less responsible individuals carrying out uncertified installations and undercutting the market.
REFCOM members also complain about the lack of an adequate deterrent with only limited enforcement of the law by the Environment Agency. “They are seriously worried that the safety situation could deteriorate as our climate gets progressively warmer prompting more domestic consumers to look for low-cost solutions online,” said Morrissey.
BESA said it was also aware of reports that some buyers had attempted to misuse details of certified businesses when purchasing equipment online.
Morrissey warned that the safety issue would become “more serious” as the industry transitioned to the use of equipment charged with R290.
The sale of splits using propane (R290) falls outside the F-gas regulation and is not illegal, but BESA has previously urged all sellers to act responsibly by only selling to properly qualified and registered installers.
