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HVAC News Update
HVAC365 Update - A2L Refrigerants: New Rules + Safety Guide
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Lead
The Environmental Protection Agency will require U.S. HVAC makers and contractors to shift to low-GWP A2L refrigerants on new residential and light-commercial AC/heat pump installations beginning January 1, 2026, under the AIM Act and the HFC phasedown. Units manufactured after January 1, 2025 cannot be installed with high-GWP gases such as R-410A; compliant options include R-32 and R-454B. Technicians must update training and certifications for handling mildly flammable A2Ls, and new Subsection H rules tighten leak management: systems with 15 or more pounds of HFCs (GWP >53) face routine inspections and three-year recordkeeping. EPA warns that noncompliance can halt installs, strand inventory, and trigger federal penalties, as some states signal strict enforcement.
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Regulatory Changes And Deadlines
Starting January 1, 2026, the EPA’s new refrigerant regulations under the AIM Act prohibit installation of residential and light commercial HVAC systems using high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A, if manufactured after January 1, 2025. Equipment must instead use low-GWP A2L refrigerants such as R-32 and R-454B. This shift requires HVAC professionals to obtain updated certifications and training to safely handle the mildly flammable A2Ls, emphasizing leak detection and repair protocols to maintain compliance and avoid federal penalties or warranty issues. Additionally, AIM Act Subsection H introduces stricter oversight on systems containing 15 or more pounds of HFC refrigerants with GWP above 53, effective the same date. New mandates include mandatory leak inspections, automatic leak detection for systems with over 1,500 pounds by 2027, and a three-year recordkeeping requirement—significantly tightening previous thresholds of 50 pounds. These rules directly impact HVAC contractors, manufacturers, and facility managers, who must prioritize compliance to prevent installation halts and stranded R-410A inventories, especially as states like New York impose strict enforcement.
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Market And Supply Impacts
The EPA's refrigerant regulations under the AIM Act will drive significant shifts in the HVAC market starting January 1, 2026. Residential and light commercial A/C and heat pump units manufactured after January 1, 2025, must transition away from high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A to low-GWP A2L options such as R-32 and R-454B. This mandate directly affects manufacturers and distributors, who must adjust production lines and inventory to meet the low-GWP demand and avoid stranded R-410A stock that cannot be installed post-deadline. In addition, expanded AIM Act Subsection H requirements impose stricter leak inspection and recordkeeping on larger systems, impacting facility management and contractors with systems containing 15+ pounds of high-GWP HFCs. The combination of these policies accelerates the phaseout of HFCs by an anticipated 85% supply reduction by 2036, emphasizing compliance urgency especially in states like New York with strict enforcement. HVAC professionals must adapt sourcing strategies for A2L-compatible tools and equipment and anticipate increased training costs to safely handle mildly flammable refrigerants, reshaping market dynamics and installation practices across North America.
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Tech Adoption And Training
Starting January 1, 2026, HVAC professionals must strictly adopt low-GWP A2L refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B for residential and light commercial air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured after January 1, 2025, as mandated by the EPA under the AIM Act. This transition ends the installation of new systems using high-GWP refrigerants such as R-410A, reshaping equipment sourcing and inventory management. Technicians face mandatory updated training and certification to safely handle the mildly flammable A2Ls, focusing on new leak detection and repair safety protocols to maintain compliance, avoid federal penalties, and prevent voiding manufacturer warranties. Additionally, AIM Act Subsection H enforces tighter oversight from 2026 onward, requiring leak inspections and three-year recordkeeping for systems holding 15 or more pounds of HFC refrigerants with GWP above 53. Systems over 1,500 pounds must install automatic leak detection by 2027, a significant tightening from previous 50-pound thresholds. These regulations compel HVAC contractors, manufacturers, and facility managers to invest in A2L-compatible tools and revise service procedures immediately, prioritizing compliance amidst ongoing phasedowns—including an 85% supply cut of HFCs by 2036—and strict state-level enforcement, notably in New York.
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What’s Next
Starting January 1, 2026, HVAC professionals must transition completely to low-GWP mildly flammable A2L refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B for all new residential and light commercial air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured after January 1, 2025. This EPA mandate under the AIM Act prohibits installing new systems using high-GWP refrigerants such as R-410A, forcing technicians to update training and certifications to safely handle A2Ls, including strict leak detection and repair protocols. Failure to comply risks warranty issues, federal penalties, and halted installations. Additionally, the AIM Act’s Subsection H expands leak management requirements from January 1, 2026. Systems containing 15 or more pounds of HFC refrigerants (GWP over 53) now require mandatory leak inspections, automatic detection in large systems above 1,500 pounds by 2027, and three-year recordkeeping—substantially tightening previous 50-pound thresholds. This regulatory landscape demands HVAC contractors and facility managers prioritize compliance, upgrade tools and procedures for A2L compatibility, and carefully plan retrofits amid an 85% phasedown of HFC supplies by 2036. States like New York enforce these rules strictly, increasing urgency for industry readiness.
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Key Takeaways
• EPA bans new HVAC systems using high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A from January 1, 2026. • Technicians must update certification for handling mildly flammable A2Ls like R-32 and R-454B. • Leak inspections required for systems with 15+ pounds HFC refrigerants starting January 1, 2026. • Non-compliance halts installations and risks penalties, especially in strict states like New York.
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