TLDR

• New U.S. EPA rules ban the installation of new residential and light commercial AC and heat pump systems using high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A after January 1, 2026, with manufacturing or import cutoff on January 1, 2025.
• HVAC contractors and manufacturers must switch to low-GWP refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32, while complying with new leak inspection and reporting requirements starting in 2026.
• These regulations increase equipment costs and impose stricter oversight, prioritizing compliance to avoid federal violations, with some exceptions for VRF systems extending deadlines to 2027 or 2028.

Starting January 1, 2026, new U.S. rules will ban the installation of residential and light commercial air conditioners and heat pumps that use high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants like R-410A. This change affects HVAC contractors, manufacturers, and building managers. Equipment containing these refrigerants must be fully installed and charged by this date to comply. The production and import of new R-410A systems will stop after January 1, 2025. These shifts come from the EPA’s American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act and require switching to lower-GWP refrigerants and new system types. Contractors need to prepare now to meet these important deadlines.

Get Ready Now for New Heat Pump Rules

Starting January 1, 2025, manufacturers can no longer make or import new air conditioners or heat pumps that use high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants like R-410A. By January 1, 2026, all new installations must use low-GWP refrigerants, such as R-454B or R-32, which are better for the environment. If you’re an HVAC contractor, manufacturer, or facility manager, now is the time to plan. Check your inventory and avoid ordering equipment with banned refrigerants. Start training your team on how to handle and install new low-GWP refrigerant systems safely. Expect these new systems to cost about 20% more, so prepare your clients and budgets accordingly. Also, get ready for stricter leak inspections and record-keeping starting in 2026, especially for systems with a lot of refrigerant. Keep an eye on special deadlines too—some larger systems like VRF (variable refrigerant flow) have an extra year, until 2027. Acting now will help you meet these rules smoothly and avoid last-minute surprises.

Market Impact: Inventory, Pricing, and Supply Chain Shifts

The HVAC market is changing fast as manufacturers switch to low-GWP refrigerants—these are gases with less impact on the environment than the older ones like R-410A. Because new rules ban making or importing high-GWP units after early 2025, companies are cutting back on R-410A stock. This shift means contractors must be careful with their inventories to avoid holding unsellable equipment. New units using alternatives like R-454B or R-32 usually cost over 20% more because their materials and parts are different and more expensive. This price bump affects contractors’ bids and customers’ budgets.

Supply chains are also adjusting. Some parts for the new systems are in shorter supply, causing delays. Manufacturers are prioritizing certain product lines to meet demand and the new rules. Overall, the market is moving towards greener HVAC, but businesses need to manage stock smartly, expect higher prices, and plan installation schedules carefully. Staying informed helps avoid costly inventory leftovers and keeps projects on track.

New Tools and Skills HVAC Techs Need for Low-GWP Systems

Starting in 2025, HVAC technicians must work with new types of heat pumps that use low-GWP refrigerants like R-454B and R-32. GWP stands for Global Warming Potential, which measures how much a refrigerant affects climate change. These newer refrigerants are safer for the environment but require extra care because some are mildly flammable (called A2L refrigerants).

Technicians will need updated tools to handle these refrigerants safely. This includes leak detectors that can sense A2L gases, as older tools may not work properly. Technicians also must get special training and certifications to prove they understand the new safety rules and how to install, evacuate, and charge systems correctly.

Another big change is record-keeping and inspections. From 2026, systems with larger refrigerant charges need regular leak checks, repairs, and detailed logs that technicians must prepare for EPA reporting. This means techs must be organized and precise in documenting their work.

Overall, HVAC professionals must learn new safety procedures, use updated tools, and stay sharp on rules to install and maintain low-GWP heat pumps correctly.

EPA Rules and Deadlines for HVAC Refrigerants and Equipment

Starting January 1, 2025, manufacturers and importers cannot produce or bring in new air conditioning and heat pump equipment that uses high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants like R-410A (which has a GWP above 700). After January 1, 2026, installing any new residential or light commercial AC or heat pump system charged with these older refrigerants is illegal, even if installed after that date. To meet these rules, systems must be fully charged and ready to run by January 1, 2026. Failure to follow these rules is a federal violation, though enforcement for new home construction remains low. There is an important exception for variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, which get extra time until January 1, 2027, or January 1, 2028 if the permit was issued before October 2023. From January 1, 2026, any system using more than 15 pounds of refrigerants with GWP over 53 (like R-410A or R-32) must have regular leak inspections, repairs, and keep 3 years of records. If leaks exceed 125% of the refrigerant charge per year, these must be reported to the EPA by March 1 each year. Also, new refrigeration systems cannot use R-404A or other high-GWP refrigerants starting January 1, 2026.

Key Takeaways

• After January 1, 2025, new HVAC systems using high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A cannot be manufactured or imported for residential and light commercial use.
• By January 1, 2026, all installed systems must be fully operational with low-GWP refrigerants to meet EPA compliance under the AIM Act.
• Starting in 2026, systems with 15 pounds or more of high-GWP HFC refrigerants require regular leak inspections, repairs, and reporting to the EPA.
• HVAC contractors and manufacturers should prepare for at least 20% higher costs due to EPA-compliant refrigerant materials and comply with sector-specific bans and phased exceptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for installing AC or heat pump systems with high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A?

You must install any new systems using high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A so they are fully charged and working by January 1, 2026. After that, installing such equipment is not allowed.

What are A2L refrigerants and why are they important for my work?

A2L refrigerants are low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants that are mildly flammable but environmentally friendlier, like R-454B or R-32. They are required by new EPA rules to replace high-GWP refrigerants in most residential and light commercial systems.

How do these EPA rules affect my HVAC inventory?

You cannot sell or install new equipment with high-GWP refrigerants manufactured after January 1, 2025, so plan your inventory accordingly to avoid having unsellable stock after this cutoff.

Do I need to worry about leak inspections and reporting for systems with these refrigerants?

Yes. Starting January 1, 2026, systems using 15 pounds or more of fluorinated refrigerants with high GWP require leak checks, repairs, and keeping records for three years, plus reporting major leaks to the EPA.

Related Topics: EPA refrigerant rule 2026, HVAC refrigerant compliance, A2L refrigerants, HVAC contractor regulations, refrigerant phase-out, HVAC equipment rules, EPA HVAC updates, HVAC industry compliance, refrigerant deadline 2026, HVAC best practices