The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sector has grown rapidly in Bulgaria over the past 30 years — new buildings, renovations under energy efficiency programs, heat pumps and air conditioners, industrial refrigeration installations, and more. Along with this growth, responsibility has grown too: working with fluorinated greenhouse gases (refrigerants) is a strictly regulated activity, and carrying out installation and construction work in buildings requires a clear professional status in front of the client, the authorities, and insurers. That is why choosing a contractor should not be based on price alone — but on whether the company is officially registered and certified for the activity it performs. In 2020, the Bulgarian Association for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (BAHVAC) was established, with the goal of supporting the industry and helping companies bring their work in line with European and Bulgarian standards.
Regulation (EU) 2024/573 — The New Rules for Working with Refrigerants
Since the autumn of 2024, the new European Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases has been in force, replacing the previous Regulation (EU) 517/2014. Alongside it, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2215 was published, setting out the minimum requirements for certifying individuals and companies working with refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump equipment.
The practical implication for the client is simple: installation, maintenance, servicing, leak checks, or decommissioning of an air conditioning or refrigeration system using refrigerant can only be legally carried out by individuals and companies holding a valid certificate. In Bulgaria, the courses and exams are run by Vocational Training Centers (VTCs), and the certificate of competence is issued by the Bulgarian Chamber of Machine-Building (BBKM) after successfully passing a theoretical and practical exam. The certificate is valid for 5 years and is recognized in all EU member states.
Working with refrigerants without such a certificate is not merely an administrative violation — it carries real risk: improperly drained or released refrigerant pollutes the environment, and incompetent installation can lead to accidents, gas leaks in enclosed spaces, or damage to expensive equipment that is not covered by warranty or insurance.
The Central Professional Register of Builders at the Chamber of Builders in Bulgaria
Besides the refrigerant-handling certificate, many HVAC companies also carry out genuine construction and installation work — laying pipework, building ductwork networks, passing through structural elements of the building, and more. For this type of activity, current legislation requires entry in the Central Professional Register of Builders (CPRS), administered by the Chamber of Builders in Bulgaria (KSB).
Registration in the CPRS is not a mere formality. It certifies that the company:
- has the necessary technical staff with proven qualifications;
- has relevant experience and/or references from completed projects;
- is financially stable and not undergoing insolvency proceedings;
- operates according to established safety and quality standards for the construction process.
The project owner can check the contractor's status at any time in the KSB's public electronic register — a quick and free way to make sure they are dealing with a legitimate partner.
Why This Matters to the Client
- Legality of the installation — A project carried out by an unregistered company can create problems when putting the building into operation, insuring the property, or later using or selling it.
- Warranty and liability — Only a certified company can assume formal warranty and post-warranty liability for an installed ventilation, air conditioning, or heating system.
- Environmental protection — Proper handling of refrigerants reduces the release of greenhouse gases with a high global warming potential.
- Better quality of execution — Registration requires proven staff and experience, which in practice filters out casual, unqualified contractors from the market.
- Transparency — Both registers — BBKM's and the KSB's CPRS — are public, allowing any client to independently verify the chosen contractor before signing a contract.
In Short
Choosing an HVAC company should not be based on price alone. Holding a valid certificate under Regulation (EU) 2024/573, issued by BBKM, and being listed in the KSB's CPRS are the two clearest signs that a company operates legally, responsibly, and with care for both the client and the environment. Before commissioning the installation or servicing of an air conditioning, ventilation, or heating system, take a few minutes to check these two registers — a small precaution that can save serious problems later.
