A Complete Guide to F-Gas Qualified Engineers

Hiring for F-gas-qualified engineers can be tricky.

With ageing workforces and specific qualifications causing skills gaps, F-gas engineers are truly worth their weight in gold.

Whilst the government cracks down on net-zero targets and the phasing out of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, which makes things more complex, a qualified engineer still needs to do the work.   

What is F-gas?

Fluorinated gases (“F-gases”) are a class of synthetic gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps, fire protection systems (RACHP) and insulation.

These include HFCs, PFCs, SF6 and related compounds. Because many F-gases have extremely high global warming potential and can harm the Ozone layer, they are closely regulated to limit emissions.

Can you work on F-gas without a qualification?

Engineers must hold the required qualifications to work on projects involving F-gas, even if they work for someone else. It is illegal to work with F-gases without the appropriate qualifications.

What are the impacts of F-gas non-compliance? 

F-gas isn’t just a “nice to have”, it’s a legal requirement, and non-compliance can have serious consequences. The liability doesn’t just sit with the engineer, either; it sits with you as the employer.

Penalties and Enforcement:
 Breaches can result in civil fines of up to £200,000 per offence, enforcement notices, and, in severe cases, criminal prosecution.

Operational and Financial Risks:
 Improper handling can lead to equipment failure, higher energy costs, and costly downtime during investigations or enforcement action.

Reputation and Trust:
 In an industry under increasing environmental scrutiny, non-compliance can damage your reputation and break trust with clients and regulators.

In short, ignoring F-gas compliance risks far more than a fine, it can disrupt your operations and harm your business long-term.

Our in-house compliance team mitigates these risks for you as an employer.

Get in touch to learn more >>

What Qualifications does someone need to be F-Gas Certified? 

For RACHP (Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pump) systems that use F-gases, engineers must hold a recognised qualification that meets the UK F-gas Regulation.

These qualifications are structured into four categories:

 Category 1:
 Cat 1 includes complete installation, servicing, maintenance, and decommissioning of all RACHP systems.

Category 2:
 This category allows F-gas engineers to install, maintain, service, and recover refrigerant from systems containing less than 3kg of F gas, or less than 6 kg if hermetically sealed.

Category 3:
 This certificate allows engineers to recover refrigerant from systems containing less than 3kg of F gas, or less than 6kg if hermetically sealed.

Category 4:
Cat 4 is the lowest qualification and allows F-gas engineers to conduct leak checking without breaking into the refrigeration circuit.

The category most engineers need is Category 1, the highest level, which removes all restrictions on work.

Where to Get an F-Gas Qualification

Accredited organisations issue F gas qualifications, though the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) are no longer issuing new F gas qualifications or certification. This means the training infrastructure has shifted, and not everyone offers F-gas courses.

The City & Guilds F-Gas Certification does not expire or require renewal; it is valid for life, and the suggestion that it needs to be renewed is false.

Learn more about the City & Guilds F-Gas Certification >>

That said, responsible engineers should keep their knowledge current as refrigerant technologies and regulations evolve.

What to Look for When Hiring an F-Gas Engineer 

Now that we know which qualifications are required and where gas engineers can get F-Gas certification, you need to know what to look for when hiring an F-Gas engineer.

Once qualified, gas engineers will know all about the health & safety procedures, handling refrigerants, thermodynamics and system function.

But any gas engineer can take an exam. When hiring F-Gas engineers for your business, you need to look beyond the qualifications and know what to look out for during the hiring stages.

What makes a great F-gas engineer?

The best F-gas engineers combine technical knowledge with problem-solving ability. You need someone who understands system performance, can diagnose issues methodically, and won’t bodge a job to get to the next call-out (which could be costly)!

Look for engineers who:

• Have a solid track record working on RACHP systems.
• Prioritise safe and compliant handling of refrigerants.
• Communicate clearly with clients or facilities teams.
• Take pride in doing the job properly, not just quickly.

These are the engineers who keep systems efficient, compliant, and reliable, saving you time and money in the long run.

F-Gas Engineer Recruitment

As the UK continues to phase out high-GWP refrigerants and focuses on net-zero targets, demand for certified F-gas engineers is growing rapidly.
 
 You’re not just competing with others in your sector, but with facilities management firms, HVAC specialists, and even engineers setting up independently for greater flexibility and earning potential.

That means securing the right talent often comes down to your speed of hire, network reach, and employer brand reputation.

Boost the speed of hiring with our support >>

Interview Questions for an F-Gas Engineer 

Whether you use an agency to hire or go in-house, you need to look beyond their qualifications.

Ask about their practical experience through well-formulated questions, such as:

• Can you talk me through a recent complex diagnosis?
• Do you understand the environmental regulations driving the shift to alternative refrigerants?
• Have you worked with the same types of systems we work with here?
• Give me a time you have shown complete understanding of health & safety procedures whilst working on an RHACP system.

Whilst these are just examples, the above is how you secure a top-tier gas engineer.

How to retain a good gas-engineer

Ensuring you have competitive salary packages is essential to retaining your best engineers. Engineers with F-Gas qualifications can command significantly more compensation than an average gas engineer, especially in commercial and industrial settings.

But money alone won't solve your retention problems. Engineers leave because:

• The work is reactive, not proactive. Constant firefighting leads to burnout. If your service model means engineers are always chasing breakdowns with unrealistic response times, you're going to lose people.
• Career progression is vague. "Opportunities to progress" means nothing if there's no clear pathway. What does advancement actually look like in your business?
• The tools and equipment are inadequate. Expecting engineers to deliver excellent work with substandard kit is not best practice.
• When an engineer solves a particularly challenging problem, does anyone notice? Or are they just expected to move on to the next job? Recognition is key in all industries!

Proofing Your Business Against High Attrition Rates

The RACHP industry is more critical than ever in a world increasingly driven by energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and smart technologies.

The work isn't going away; if anything, it's becoming more complex as new refrigerants and hybrid systems become standard.

Here are your options to keep those top-tier gas engineers:

Pay market rate (or above):
 If you want experienced Category 1 engineers, you're competing with employers offering £50,000+, depending on the role and location. Factor in overtime, company vehicles, and benefits. Yes, it's expensive. Less expensive than repeated compliance failures or losing commercial contracts, though…

Invest in training:
 Learners wishing to undertake the F Gas Category 1 qualification must hold a recognised qualification in Refrigeration, Heating & Ventilation or have a minimum of 2 years auditable experience working within the sector. This means you could take on engineers from allied trades like plumbers, gas engineers, electricians, and upskill them. This takes time and commitment but builds loyalty.

Offer what other businesses can’t:
 Smaller businesses can't compete with major contractors on brand credibility. But you can offer genuine skill development, variety in work, direct impact on business decisions, and a team culture that isn't just corporate and repetitive.

Don’t Make Way for Any Surprises

To hire and retain the best F-gas engineers, you need to ensure they know every detail before they even start the role.

• Clear job specifications:
   "Must have F-gas Cat 1" isn't enough. What systems will they work on? What's the travel expectation? What does a typical week actually look like?
• Realistic timescales:
   If you need someone urgently, say that, but also explain why and what you're doing to prevent the same panic next quarter.
• Development plans: 
   Even experienced engineers need ongoing development. Are you supporting additional qualifications? Manufacturer-specific training? Specialist areas like heat pumps or industrial refrigeration?
• Proper onboarding: 
   An F-gas qualified engineer still needs to understand your business, your clients, and your standards. Don't throw them in at the deep end and wonder why they’re stretched after a couple of months on the job.

Take the stress out of your hiring processes. Contact our gas engineering recruitment specialists>>

The Bottom Line

Finding a top-quality, qualified F-gas engineer shouldn’t feel like chasing a unicorn, but with the current skills shortage, it often does.

The good news is you don’t have to tackle recruitment alone.

At Daniel Owen, we’ve built a network of trusted, fully certified F-gas and RACHP professionals across the UK.

We understand the challenges you face and how to match them with engineers who deliver quality, compliance, and commitment.

Let’s secure your next F-Gas Engineer:

Contact our gas engineer specialist team >>