Class A
5 - 50 tCO₂eq
Most offices, restaurants and shops
- Leak tightness check
- 1x / year
- Leak detection
- -
- Logbook
- Mandatory
Standard split or multisplit with R32/R410A up to approx. 4 kg charge. Annual visual and seal inspection.
2026 edition
Issue Topic
Almanach air conditioning and F-gases
Annual leak tests of the refrigerant circuit in accordance with EU Regulation 517/2014. Refrigerant leak = fine up to 1.5 million Kč.
Foto · boris misevic
R410A in the atmosphere is 2 088 times worse than CO₂. That is why airtightness is not a detail; it is the law.
1×
Annual inspection from 5 tCO₂eq
2 088
GWP of R410A (CO₂ multiplier)
1,5 M
Kč fines for companies (ČIŽP)
24 h
Response with technicians' offers
Kapitola II
II.
What is an air-conditioning inspection
Air conditioning inspection is a systematic check of the technical condition and functionality of the cooling system. It is not an optional service. It is legal obligation for all systems containing F-gases exceeding 5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Includes visual inspection, parameter measurement and maintenance work where necessary.
As part of the inspection, the technician checks five main items:
- System tightness
Locating leaks and refrigerant escapes using an electronic probe or UV dye.
- Filters and heat exchangers
removal of settled dust, disinfection, replacement of worn parts
- Tlak a teplota
compressor performance check, expansion valve, suction and discharge
- Recharging refrigerant
If a leak is detected in the circuit, a technician with F-gas certification will top up R32/R410A from a recycling container.
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III.
Deadlines according to refrigerant content
EU Regulation 517/2014 sets deadlines for leak checks based on the CO₂ equivalent: not according to the mass of refrigerant, but according to GWP × mass.
Class B
50 - 500 tCO₂eq
VRF systems, hotels, data centres
- Leak tightness check
- 1x / 6 months
- Leak detection
- Recommended
- Logbook
- Mandatory
Larger VRF and refrigeration circuits. Automatic leak detection recommended, reduces inspection interval by half.
Class C
500+ tCO₂eq
Wholesale refrigerants, industry
- Leak tightness check
- 1x / 3 months
- Leak detection
- MANDATORY
- Logbook
- Mandatory
Industrial cooling circuits and large VRF installations. Fixed leak detection system installation is a legal requirement.
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IV.
What a technician does opravdu installs
Annual inspection is not just a "quick look". A professional procedure follows four steps in accordance with EN 378 and EU Regulation 517/2014.
- Krok 01Visual inspection of units
Condition of outdoor and indoor units, corrosion, evaporator contamination, condensate drainage, compressor vibration. Circuit pressure measurement.
- Krok 02Leak test of the refrigeration circuit
Leak detection, electronic halogen probe, ultrasound, or UV dye. Inspection of joints, brazed welds and service valves.
- Krok 03Maintenance & cleaning
Evaporator cleaning with enzyme foam, disinfection, filter replacement. Condensate drain check (regular siphon excavation).
- Krok 04Entry in the logbook
Date, technician's name (with F-gas certification under § 10 of Act 73/2012), circuit status, refrigerant mass. Failure to record may result in a fine up to 1.5 million Kč.
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V.
Who is authorised to carry out an inspection
Work with F-gases may only be carried out by a person holding a current certificate in accordance with EU Regulation 2015/2067. There are four categories based on the scope of authority.
I.
Category I
All services, installation, maintenance, repair, dismantling, leak testing of all systems and refrigerant recycling. Full authority.
Course 5 days + exam + 5-year renewal
II.
Category II
Same as Category I, but only for equipment with a charge < 3 kg (or < 6 kg for hermetically sealed units). Met by simpler training.
Course 3 days + exam
III.
Category III
Refrigerant recycling only: no work on the circuit. For storage facilities and disposal companies.
Brief training
IV.
Category IV
Leak tightness check only: no intervention in the circuit. The least stringent type for regular inspections.
Basic training
Verification tip: Before you hire a company, request its F-gas certification number and verify it in the database. Chamber of Authorised Waste Disposal and Environmental Specialists of the Czech Republic (ČKAOE). Without a valid certificate, the inspection report is not recognised and ČIŽP will impose fines.
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VI.
Service · Maintenance · Inspection
Three terms are often confused in practice, yet they have different meanings and frequencies. The distinction is important: a revision cannot be replaced by routine maintenance.
Regular
Maintenance
Regular maintenance: filter cleaning, condensate drainage check
- Frekvence
- 1-2 times per year
- Povinnost
- Recommended by the manufacturer
Legally required
Inspection
Statutory leak check for F-gases and registration entry
- Frekvence
- Depending on scope (3-12 months)
- Povinnost
- Mandatory · EU 517/2014
Optional
Service
Repairs, part replacements, refrigerant top-up after fault.
- Frekvence
- As required
- Povinnost
- Optional: in case of breakdown
Practical example: maintenance means you clean the filter yourself. Inspection means a technician arrives to measure pressure and check for leaks. Service means repairing the compressor after a breakdown.
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VII.
Indicative price list
Real prices from certified technicians in 2026. A planned annual contract (inspection + service) is typically 20% cheaper than ad-hoc call-outs.
Split (1 + 1)
1 500 - 2 800
Kč
inspection and cleaning of the evaporator
Multisplit (2-4 indoor units)
2 500 - 4 500
Kč
office, flat, small business premises
VRF system
8 000 - 25 000
Kč
per compressor + circuit length
Annual contract
od 1 200
Kč/year
split, maintenance plan 1×/year
Prices are exclusive of VAT · delivery is charged per region · the final offer is confirmed by a specific certified technician.
Kapitola VIII
For businesses and hotels
PThe air-conditioning installer is legally liable for maintaining the logbook and conducting periodic leak tightness checks. A large office in Prague often has 20+ indoor units, a hotel with a wellness centre 50+, and a datacentre tens of tonnes of refrigerant.
We offer a framework annual contract. One visit for all units, electronic maintenance logbook, automatic reminder before the deadline expires, and dispatch within 24 hours in case of a leak. For comprehensive coverage of mandatory inspections in the building, we also arrange... chimney inspections, revize EZS and fire extinguisher inspections.
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IX.
Frequently asked questions from readers
- 01
What does tCO₂eq mean and how is it calculated?
Tonne CO₂ equivalent: measure of the refrigerant's global warming potential. Formula: charge mass (kg) × GWP of refrigerant ÷ 1000. Example: R410A has a GWP of 2,088; a split unit with 1.5 kg = 1.5 × 2,088 = 3.1 tCO₂eq → falls under 5 tCO₂eq, no inspection required. R32 (GWP 675) is already lower, hence the new standard.
- 02
Who is authorised to carry out air-conditioning inspections?
Only technicians with a current F-gas certification under EU Regulation 2015/2067 and Act No. 73/2012 Coll. In its valid scope (categories I-IV depending on the task). Without certification, the document is not recognised and the control authority will impose fines.
- 03
What penalties apply for failing to carry out the inspection?
ČIŽP may impose a fine of up to 200,000 Kč on individuals and up to 1,500,000 Kč on legal entities. This is in addition to liability for damage caused by refrigerant leaks in the event of fire or accident.
- 04
How much does annual air conditioning servicing cost?
Standard split (1 indoor + 1 outdoor unit) 1 500-2 800 Kč. Multisplit (2-4 indoor units) 2 500-4 500 Kč. VRF and large systems are calculated per compressor plus circuit length, typically 8 000-25 000 Kč. An annual contract with scheduled maintenance is usually cheaper.
- 05
What to do with F-gases when replacing an air conditioner?
Old refrigerant must be recovered by a certified technician into a recycling container (R22 refilling has been banned since 2015). It cannot simply be vented. Proof of recycling is archived for a minimum of 5 years. If a company does not do this, it is a criminal offence.
Form F1 / 2026
Request for certified air conditioning technician
Fill in the form and within 24 hours we will send you quotes from 2-3 verified technicians from your region. Free of charge, no obligation.
- § Free of charge. You do not pay for intermediation.
- § Only certified technicians with valid F-gas certification.
- § Response with quotes within 24 hours on working days.