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Refrigerant and Standards

Is R-410A Being Phased Out, and What Does That Mean for My System?

Reviewed by AC Direct Technical Team Updated May 29, 20267 min read
The short answerYes. Under the EPA AIM Act, new residential air conditioners and heat pumps that use R-410A stopped being manufactured on January 1, 2025. New systems now use lower-GWP A2L refrigerants, mainly R-454B and R-32. Your existing R-410A system is fine to keep running, service, and refill, so there is no need to replace it before its time.
R-410A phase-out timeline under the EPA AIM Act, 2025 to 2028AC Direct HVAC guide
The AIM Act caps refrigerant GWP on new equipment. Existing systems are not affected.

What the AIM Act actually changed

The EPA AIM Act limits the global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerant in new HVAC equipment. R-410A has a GWP above the new threshold, so it was phased out of new system production. The change is about what manufacturers can build, not about what you are allowed to own or run.

DateWhat changed
January 1, 2025New residential split-system air conditioners and heat pumps can no longer be manufactured or imported with R-410A. New systems use A2L refrigerant (R-454B or R-32).
January 1, 2028The same cutoff reaches packaged and self-contained units.
OngoingServicing and refilling existing R-410A systems with R-410A stays legal for the foreseeable future.

What it means if you already own an R-410A system

Nothing forces you to act. You can keep running it, have it serviced, and refill it with R-410A. R-410A is still produced for servicing and will be available for years. The phase-out applies to new equipment, not to the system on your pad today.

What new systems use instead

New equipment ships with A2L refrigerants. R-454B is common in ducted air conditioners and heat pumps from many brands. R-32 is common in ductless mini splits and some ducted systems. Both have a much lower GWP than R-410A and are classified A2L, which means mildly flammable, handled with leak sensors and updated system design.

When to plan a replacement

If your R-410A system is aging or a major repair comes up, that is the moment to weigh a new A2L system. A newer system is more efficient and starts a fresh warranty. If your unit is young and healthy, there is no rush. When you are ready, browse current A2L systems and the live pricing shows on each product page.

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Current-generation systems built for the post-R-410A standard. Current pricing shows on each product page.

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Common R-410A phase-out questions

Do I have to replace my R-410A system?
No. The phase-out applies to new equipment manufacturing. You can keep, service, and refill your existing R-410A system for years to come.
Is R-410A still available for refills?
Yes. R-410A continues to be produced for servicing existing systems, so recharges remain available for the foreseeable future.
What refrigerant do new systems use?
New residential systems use A2L refrigerants, primarily R-454B in ducted systems and R-32 in many ductless mini splits.
Will R-410A get more expensive to refill?
Service refrigerant pricing can move over time as supply shifts. The system itself keeps working the same way. Plan a replacement on your own timeline, not under pressure.
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Reviewed by the AC Direct Technical Team

25 years sizing and shipping HVAC systems to homeowners and contractors.

Last updated May 29, 2026  •  Facts verified against current EPA and AHRI standards