AC Refrigerant Phaseout: Should You Replace Your Old AC Now or Later? Posted on October 28, 2026 The US is currently in the middle of a major refrigerant transition. As such, one of the popular questions we get from customers is: “Should I replace my old AC now or later?” To answer this common question, we’ve created this guide to navigate the most recent refrigerant rules, and what the changing regulations mean for consumers, both residential and commercial. What is the Latest Refrigerant Regulation? In 2020, Congress passed the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, which gradually phased out the existing HFC refrigerants, in favor of the new class of A2L refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP). Under the original ruling, any split HVAC system made before Jan. 1, 2025 that uses R-410A and other phased out refrigerants can no longer be installed. However on May 26, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency revised the ruling to allow the continued installation of HVAC units that use R-410A refrigerant. This became effective on July 27, 2026. This was due to concerns over the availability of new HVAC units that use A2L refrigerant, as well as concerns over the supply of the new refrigerants themselves. The Impact for Consumers The revised timeline has effectively eliminated the installation deadline for new ACs that still use R410-A. This means that HVAC systems that use R-410A refrigerant can still be bought and installed in the US indefinitely, except for states like New York and California that passed their own legislation. However, no new R-410A-based HVAC units are still being made by major US based companies. All AC manufacturers have switched to producing new units that use A2L refrigerant, and these are not compatible with older HFC refrigerants. As such, the revised regulation is intended to allow existing inventory of R410-A ACs to be sold until the stock runs out. Should You Upgrade Now or Later? Residential Homeowners and Landlords If your existing AC is working reliably, you generally do not need to replace it simply because it uses R-410A or another higher-GWP HFC refrigerant. However, we recommend replacing the unit/s if: 1. The AC is approaching the end of its useful life Residential AC units that use R-410A refrigerant typically last 10 to 15 years, sometimes even longer if properly maintained and cared for. Beyond this lifespan, the AC may no longer be as efficient as before, or as easy to maintain as the parts supply runs out. Here’s our resource guide on the typical lifespan of air conditioners. 2. There is a costly repair or a major component needs to be replaced If the cost of repair or parts replacement is no longer economical, then it may be more practical and cost effective to replace the whole unit. 3. It requires frequent refrigerant top ups As A2L production ramps up, the supply of older HFC refrigerants will get scarcer and become more expensive over time. 4. It has poor energy efficiency Efficient power consumption is the primary reason why customers upgrade their old air conditioners. The new A2L refrigerants have higher cooling efficiency and drastically reduced GWP levels. Newer ACs also benefit from new technologies like variable speed compressors, revised EnergyStar and SEER2 ratings, and smart features that make them much more energy efficient. 5. It still uses even older refrigerants like R-22 Before R410A, the industry standard was HCFC refrigerants like R22, which were phased out from production and importation in 2022. Servicing such an old unit is even more expensive and impractical with R22 refrigerant supplies running very low. Businesses and Commercial Applications The updated ruling only applies to units installed in residential and light commercial properties. It doesn’t apply to the following commercial-grade units: Variable refrigerant flow systems Under the current federal rules, new VRF systems that use refrigerants above the 700-GWP threshold have a separate transition timeline. The general installation compliance date is January 1, 2027, with previously permitted projects receiving additional flexibility. Chillers There are multiple types of chillers for the industrial sector, each with their own timelines. Comfort-cooling chillers have a federal GWP limit of 700 and a January 1, 2025 compliance date for new installation, while other industrial-process applications have later deadlines. The May 2026 final rule also extended the compliance date for certain highly specialized industrial-process refrigeration equipment used in semiconductor manufacturing to January 1, 2030. Data centers and IT cooling The EPA places data centers, computer-room air conditioning, and IT equipment cooling under a separate category. The current federal table specifies a 700-GWP limit with a January 1, 2027 installation compliance date. Will R-410A Supply Get More Expensive? Yes. The amended ruling only removed the installation deadline for residential and light commercial properties.No new HVAC equipment that uses R410-A are still being manufactured. As the inventory gets depleted and the industry shifts to A2L, the supply of R410-A and other HFC-based refrigerants will dwindle and become a finite resource. The statutory HFC phasedown progressively reduces allowable production and consumption. The next major step will be in 2029, when the allowance level drops from 60% of the baseline to 30%. This will make them more expensive and uneconomical over time. For sites with dozens or hundreds of HVAC units that use R410-A, this should be considered in future planning. The Bottomline The refrigerant transition can be a confusing time, but it does not mean you have to replace your AC immediately. If your existing HFC-based air conditioner is a relatively recent model, working fine, or still efficient, then by all means keep using it. However if it needs regular refrigerant top ups or costly repairs, then now is the time to upgrade to an A2L unit. For commercial and industrial operators, it’s crucial to map your equipment to the applicable EPA subsector and build a replacement schedule. Identify the exact equipment category, application, and compliance requirements, so your facility isn’t just compliant but future-proof. And if you need help navigating the transition, drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help. Mickey Luongo Mickey is the resident heating and air conditioning expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry.
