Refrigerant transition (low-GWP)
also: GWP · A2L refrigerants · R-454B · R-32 · AIM Act · HFC phasedown
The shift from high global-warming-potential refrigerants to lower-GWP ones, driven in the US by the AIM Act, changing HVAC design, safety and service.
Refrigerants such as R-410A have a high global warming potential (GWP). Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, the EPA is phasing down HFC production and restricting high-GWP refrigerants in new equipment; for new residential and light-commercial air conditioning and heat pump systems the limit is a GWP below 700, applying to equipment manufactured from 2025. Common replacements such as R-454B and R-32 are classed A2L ("lower flammability") under ASHRAE Standard 34.
A2L refrigerants bring design and installation requirements: leak detection and mitigation controls, charge limits, updated equipment safety standards and technician training. The rules have moved; in 2026 the EPA removed the separate installation deadline for qualifying equipment manufactured before 2025, so check the current requirements.
Founder takeaway
If you design HVAC equipment or controls, plan for A2L refrigerant safety requirements, including leak detection and mitigation logic, and track EPA rule changes.
sources
engineer review pending