Record June temperatures triggered a sharp rise in online searches for cooling products, and BESA members say they are now fielding installation enquiries from householders who have already purchased restricted equipment from online retailers. Some marketplaces reported installation requests rising by more than 300% at the start of July, with repeated hot spells driving further demand.

BESA, which operates REFCOM said products containing refrigerant gases – including units requiring specialist handling and posing potential flammability risks if installed incorrectly – continue to be bought by DIY users and unqualified installers despite repeated safety warnings.

The Environment Agency (EA) enforces the F-Gas regime, which requires retailers to verify that buyers are qualified engineers before selling pre-charged equipment. It has previously prosecuted online sellers for failing to check credentials, but BESA said the practice has persisted and accelerated during recent heatwaves.

Kevin Morrissey, BESA’s technical director, said most professional merchants comply with the rules, but online platforms remain “an Achilles heel”. Sellers must be able to prove they have confirmed the buyer’s intention to use a certified engineer or F-Gas registered contractor, he added.

Certified companies are increasingly frustrated by uncertified installations undercutting the market, and REFCOM members continue to raise concerns about limited enforcement. Morrissey said firms fear the safety situation could worsen as hotter summers push more domestic consumers towards low-cost online options, particularly as the industry transitions to equipment using flammable refrigerants such as R290 (propane).

BESA also noted reports of buyers attempting to misuse certified business details when purchasing equipment online. It stressed that the REFCOM register does not publish information required for sales-compliance checks and said it had no evidence of improper access to its systems. REFCOM confirmed it processes personal data in line with UK data protection legislation.