Your AC’s refrigerant changed. Here’s what that means.
If your system is from before 2025, it almost certainly uses R-410A. New ones use R-454B or R-32. Here’s what that means for repairs, prices and your next system.
What happened
Under federal rules phasing down high-global-warming refrigerants, manufacturers stopped producing new home AC and heat pump systems that use R-410A at the start of 2025. New systems use lower-impact refrigerants, mostly R-454B and R-32. They’re mildly flammable, which is why installers now follow updated safety codes for them.
In 2026 the EPA removed the installation deadline for R-410A equipment that was manufactured or imported before 2025, so some of that stock can still be installed until it runs out.
What it means if you have R-410A
Your system is fine and can be repaired for years. R-410A is still made, but supply is being reduced on a schedule, so the price per pound has gone up and will likely keep going up. That’s the reason we always find a leak before we add refrigerant: topping up a leaking system gets more expensive every summer.
What it means for your next system
When you replace, you’ll be choosing between new-refrigerant equipment and any leftover R-410A stock. We’d usually point you to the new refrigerant, since that’s where parts and support are heading. Either way, we’ll name the refrigerant for every option on the quote.
Leaking refrigerant? Find the leak first.
The desert AC site, built in seven days.
Sixteen pages: a live same-day cutoff on Arizona time, a repair-or-replace calculator, a rough sizing check, and the ROC license on the home page where Arizona requires it.