The Refrigerant Phase-Out: What’s Actually Happening

The EPA’s AIM Act (American Innovation and Manufacturing Act) mandates a phasedown of HFC refrigerants based on their Global Warming Potential (GWP). R-410A has a GWP of 2,088 — 2,088 times more heat-trapping than CO₂. The phase-out timeline:

• Jan 1, 2025: R-410A prohibited in new residential AC/heat pump manufacturing
• Jan 1, 2025: All new residential AC must use refrigerant with GWP ≤ 750
• Existing systems: Can continue using R-410A indefinitely — no mandatory retrofit
• Reclaimed R-410A: Will remain available for servicing existing equipment for years

Refrigerant Comparison: R-410A vs R-32 vs R-454B

Property	R-410A (Puron)	R-32	R-454B (Puron Advance)
GWP	2,088	675	466
Flammability	Non-flammable (A1)	Mildly flammable (A2L)	Mildly flammable (A2L)
Efficiency vs R-410A	Baseline	5–10% better	Similar to R-410A
Ozone depletion	None	None	None
New equipment use	Prohibited (2025+)	Yes — major brands	Yes — Carrier, Trane, Lennox
Recharge existing systems	Yes (reclaimed only)	Not compatible	Not compatible
Which brands use it	Legacy equipment only	Daikin, Mitsubishi, LG, Samsung	Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem

How This Affects Your Current LA Home System

If your AC uses R-410A (installed before 2025):

• Your system continues to operate normally — no action required
• Recharging is still legal using reclaimed R-410A
• Recharge costs have increased: expect $80–$150/lb (up from $25–$50)
• If you have a major refrigerant leak, repair costs are higher now
• If your system is 12+ years old and needs a recharge, replacement is usually better financially

If you’re buying a new system in 2025+:

• All new systems use R-32 or R-454B
• Choose Daikin/Mitsubishi/LG for R-32 systems
• Choose Carrier/Trane/Lennox/Goodman/Rheem for R-454B systems
• Both are excellent choices — refrigerant type shouldn’t drive your brand decision
• Ensure your contractor is A2L certified (required for R-32 and R-454B service)

What to Ask Your HVAC Contractor

• What refrigerant does this new system use?
• Are your technicians A2L certified to service R-32/R-454B?
• What are your current R-410A recharge rates if I keep my existing system?
• If I need a recharge, is the leak repaired first? (Recharging without finding the leak is illegal)
• Does the new system’s refrigerant affect warranty coverage?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is R-410A being phased out?

Yes. The EPA’s AIM Act is phasing out high-GWP refrigerants. R-410A (GWP of 2,088) cannot be used in new residential AC equipment manufactured after January 1, 2025. Existing R-410A systems can continue operating and be recharged with reclaimed R-410A, but new equipment must use lower-GWP alternatives.

What refrigerant replaces R-410A in new equipment?

Most major manufacturers have switched to R-32 (GWP of 675, used by Daikin, Mitsubishi, LG) or R-454B (GWP of 466, branded as Puron Advance, used by Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Goodman). Both are lower-GWP alternatives that also offer slightly better efficiency than R-410A.

Can I still get my R-410A system recharged?

Yes. Existing R-410A systems can be recharged with reclaimed/recycled R-410A indefinitely. The phase-out only prohibits manufacturing new R-410A refrigerant and using it in new equipment. Recharge costs have increased due to reduced supply — expect to pay $80–$150/lb vs $25–$50/lb a few years ago.

Is R-32 refrigerant safe for homeowners?

R-32 is mildly flammable (A2L classification) but is very safe in practice. The concentration needed to ignite is much higher than any leak in a home would produce. Daikin, Mitsubishi, and LG have been using R-32 safely in millions of units worldwide since 2012. Your technician needs A2L certification to service it.

Should I replace my R-410A system because of the phase-out?

Not necessarily — not yet. If your R-410A system is running well and under 10 years old, keep it. If it needs a major repair or is 12+ years old, replacement with new R-32 or R-454B equipment makes more financial sense. Recharge costs will rise, but R-410A will be available for existing systems for many years.