New residential split air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured from January 1, 2025 use lower-impact A2L refrigerants, mainly R-454B or R-32, instead of R-410A. Your existing R-410A system can still be repaired and recharged. And in May 2026, the EPA removed the January 1, 2026 installation deadline for R-410A equipment made before 2025, so that remaining inventory can still be installed.
Fallbrook Heating & Air does refrigerant leak detection and AC repair on all makes and models. Here's what the refrigerant change means in plain terms, and what it doesn't.
What is the R-410A phase-out?
It's part of the federal phase-down of HFC refrigerants, which have a high global warming potential. Under EPA's Technology Transitions rules, new residential split ACs and heat pumps manufactured from January 1, 2025 must use lower-impact refrigerants. R-410A isn't banned outright; its use in new equipment is being phased out.
R-410A replaced the older R-22 refrigerant years ago. Now it's being replaced in turn. The industry has mostly moved to two refrigerants: R-454B and R-32. Fallbrook Heating & Air installs systems on both, and we keep R-410A on hand to service the systems already out there.
What changed in May 2026?
The EPA issued a final rule in May 2026 that removed the January 1, 2026 deadline for installing residential split-system equipment that uses R-410A and was manufactured before 2025. Before that rule, those systems had to be installed by the end of 2025. Now, pre-2025 inventory can still be installed while it lasts.
This matters because a lot of R-410A equipment was built before the 2025 cutoff and was still on distributor shelves. Rules in this area have changed more than once, so check current status before you make a decision on refrigerant alone.
| Question | R-410A | R-454B / R-32 (A2L) |
|---|---|---|
| Used in | Most home ACs and heat pumps installed before 2025 | New residential split systems manufactured from Jan 1, 2025 |
| Can it be serviced and repaired? | Yes | Yes |
| New equipment installs | Pre-2025-manufactured inventory can still be installed (EPA rule, May 2026) | The standard for new equipment |
| Safety class | A1 (non-flammable) | A2L (low toxicity, mildly flammable) |
| Global warming impact | Higher | Much lower |
| Interchangeable? | No. Each system must use the refrigerant it was designed for. | |
How do I know which refrigerant my AC uses?
Look at the nameplate on the outdoor unit. It's a sticker or metal plate, usually on the side or back, that lists the model and serial number, electrical ratings and the refrigerant type and charge. You'll see something like "R-410A", "R-454B", "R-32" or, on much older systems, "R-22".
Don't remove panels to look; the nameplate is on the outside of the cabinet. If the label has faded in the sun, take a photo of what you can read and of the model number, and we can look it up. Knowing the refrigerant helps when you call for service, because it tells the technician what to bring.
- R-22: a much older system. R-22 production has ended, so major repairs are often hard to justify.
- R-410A: most systems installed before 2025. Still serviceable.
- R-454B or R-32: newer A2L systems manufactured from 2025.
Can I still repair and recharge my R-410A system?
Yes. Nothing in the phase-down stops a certified technician from servicing, leak-repairing or recharging an existing R-410A system. If your system is low on refrigerant, it has a leak, and the right fix is to find and repair the leak, not just keep adding refrigerant.
Refrigerant work requires EPA certification, so it isn't a DIY job. Topping up without fixing a leak wastes money and releases refrigerant to the air. Our refrigerant leak repair page explains how we find leaks.
Will R-410A repairs get more expensive?
Possibly. As production is phased down, refrigerant supply and pricing can change. We don't predict prices, but it's one more reason to fix leaks properly rather than recharging the same system every summer.
What are A2L refrigerants, and are they safe?
A2L is a safety classification meaning low toxicity and lower flammability ("mildly flammable"). R-454B and R-32 are both A2L refrigerants. Equipment that uses them is designed and certified with safety features for that, and installers follow updated codes and procedures. In a properly installed system, the refrigerant stays sealed inside.
That's another reason refrigerant work belongs with a licensed, certified contractor: A2L systems call for specific installation practices, tools and leak checks.
Can I mix an old R-410A unit with a new R-454B part?
No. An R-410A system can't be converted to R-454B or R-32, and a new A2L outdoor unit needs a matching A2L-rated indoor coil. If your R-410A outdoor unit fails, you either repair it with R-410A parts or replace both the outdoor unit and the coil as a matched system.
That's why a failed compressor or coil on an older R-410A system is often the moment people decide to replace. Our repair or replace guide helps you weigh it.
Should I replace my R-410A AC now, before it fails?
Not just because of the refrigerant. If your R-410A system works well, keep maintaining it; it can still be serviced. Replacement makes sense when the system has a major failure, needs repairs often, or no longer keeps you comfortable. Planning ahead lets you choose equipment calmly instead of during a heat wave.
When you do replace, new systems also have to meet federal efficiency minimums: at least 14.3 SEER2 for most split ACs and heat pumps in California. See our SEER2 guide and our AC installation page.
What should I ask my contractor?
- What refrigerant does my current system use? (It's on the outdoor unit's nameplate.)
- If it's leaking, where is the leak, and can it be repaired?
- If I replace, will the new system use R-454B or R-32, and is the indoor coil matched?
- Will you recover the old refrigerant and dispose of the old equipment in an EPA-compliant way?
- Is the permit and the Title 24 testing included?
For AC problems today, start with our AC repair page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get my R-410A air conditioner repaired?
Yes. R-410A systems can still be serviced and repaired, including leak repairs and recharging by a certified technician. The phase-down limits how new R-410A is produced and which new equipment can use it. It does not ban servicing the systems already in homes.
What is R-454B?
R-454B is one of the new refrigerants used in residential split air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured from January 1, 2025. It has a much lower global warming potential than R-410A. It's classed as an A2L refrigerant, meaning low toxicity and mildly flammable, so equipment and installation practices are designed around that.
Can contractors still install new R-410A systems in 2026?
In many cases, yes. A May 2026 EPA final rule removed the January 1, 2026 installation deadline for residential split R-410A equipment manufactured before 2025, so that existing inventory can still be installed until it runs out. Availability varies, so ask your contractor what they can source.
Can I put R-454B in my R-410A system?
No. Refrigerants aren't interchangeable. R-410A equipment is designed and rated for R-410A, and A2L systems are built with different components and safety features. Mixing or swapping refrigerants isn't an option. If your R-410A system needs replacing, the outdoor unit and indoor coil are replaced as a matched set.