What is happening to R-410A
R-410A is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant with a high global-warming potential. Under the federal AIM Act, the EPA is phasing down HFC production about 85 percent by 2036, and as of January 1, 2025 new residential AC and heat pumps must use low-GWP A2L refrigerants. R-410A is not banned - the systems already in homes can still be serviced and recharged - but virgin production is shrinking and prices are climbing.
What replaced R-410A
Two A2L refrigerants took over: R-454B, used by most major U.S. brands, and R-32, used by some. Both cut global-warming potential dramatically. They are mildly flammable (the A2L safety class), so they require equipment engineered for them and cannot be dropped into an R-410A system.
| Refrigerant | Class | GWP | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-22 | HCFC | ~1,810 | Phased out (2020) |
| R-410A | A1 HFC | ~2,088 | Phasing down since 2025 |
| R-454B | A2L | ~466 | Current (most brands) |
| R-32 | A2L | ~675 | Current (some brands) |
GWP is global-warming potential relative to carbon dioxide. Lower is better.
What it means if your system uses R-410A
If your AC uses R-410A and runs well, keep it - there is no need to replace early, and R-410A will be serviceable for years through continued and reclaimed supply. The pressure point is a major leak: with refrigerant now $50 to $90 per pound, a big recharge on an older system can cost enough to tip the math toward replacement. When you do replace, you will move to an R-454B or R-32 system.
Do the leak-repair math. Weigh a refrigerant repair against a new system with the Repair Cost Estimator and the Replacement Cost Calculator before deciding.
R-410A Transition Questions, Answered
Is R-410A being phased out?
Yes. Under the federal AIM Act, the EPA is phasing down production of high-GWP HFC refrigerants, and as of January 1, 2025 new residential AC and heat pumps must use low-GWP A2L refrigerants instead of R-410A. R-410A is not banned - existing systems can still be serviced and recharged - but virgin production is shrinking, which is pushing prices up.
Can you still install R-410A equipment in 2026?
New residential R-410A air conditioners and heat pumps are essentially no longer manufactured, since 2025 models moved to A2L refrigerants and remaining inventory has largely sold through. Existing R-410A systems can still be serviced, recharged, and repaired with replacement components - the phase-down targets new production, not the systems already in homes.
Can you still buy R-410A refrigerant?
Yes, R-410A is still sold to licensed technicians for servicing existing systems, and it will remain available for years through limited continued production and reclaimed supply. What is changing is the price: it has climbed from roughly $25 to $40 per pound to about $50 to $90 as production steps down.
What has replaced R-410A?
R-410A has been replaced by two A2L refrigerants: R-454B, used by most major U.S. brands, and R-32, used by some. Both have far lower global-warming potential than R-410A. They are mildly flammable (the A2L class), so they require equipment specifically designed for them and cannot be dropped into an R-410A system.
Which is better, R-32 or R-410A?
R-32 is the more modern choice. It has roughly a third of R-410A's global-warming potential (about 675 versus 2,088), is slightly more energy-efficient, and is a single-component refrigerant that is easier to recharge accurately. Its trade-off is mild flammability, which current equipment is engineered to handle safely.
How much is R-410A per pound in 2026?
R-410A runs roughly $50 to $90 per pound at wholesale in 2026, up from about $25 to $40 before the 2025 production phase-down. A typical recharge of a few pounds can add several hundred dollars to a repair, which is why a large leak on an older system often points toward replacement.
Will R-410A be available after 2036?
The AIM Act phases down HFC production about 85 percent by 2036, not to zero, and reclaimed (recycled) R-410A will keep flowing to service older systems. So R-410A will still be obtainable after 2036, but scarcer and more expensive - another reason aging R-410A systems are worth planning to replace.
Can a homeowner buy R-410A refrigerant?
No. R-410A and other HFC refrigerants can only be purchased by technicians holding an EPA Section 608 certification. Charging refrigerant also requires recovery equipment and training, so it is not a legal or safe DIY job - a licensed technician has to handle it.
Why is R-410A being discontinued?
R-410A is a hydrofluorocarbon with a high global-warming potential, about 2,088 times that of carbon dioxide. The AIM Act of 2020 directed the EPA to phase down HFC production to cut greenhouse-gas emissions, which is why the industry moved to lower-GWP A2L refrigerants like R-454B and R-32.
Not Sure What Your System Uses?
We'll identify your refrigerant, price a leak repair honestly against a replacement, and install a current R-454B or R-32 system when it's time - written, no obligation.