R-410A Phase-Down Schedule: What Contractors Must Know (2026–2036)
R-410A Phase-Down Schedule: What Contractors Must Know (2026–2036)
The R-410A phase-down follows the EPA AIM Act’s banded HFC schedule: 60% of baseline for 2024–2028, 30% for 2029–2033, 20% for 2034–2035, and 15% from 2036 onward. New R-410A equipment production ended January 1, 2025, yet the refrigerant still services millions of existing systems. It is a production cap, not a ban on servicing.
| Period | Allowance (% of baseline) | What it means for R-410A |
|---|---|---|
| 2022–2023 | 90% | Initial step-down; R-410A still widely produced |
| 2024–2028 | 60% | New R-410A equipment production ended Jan 1, 2025; servicing continues |
| 2029–2033 | 30% | Tighter supply; recycled/reclaimed refrigerant matters more |
| 2034–2035 | 20% | Service supply under pressure; retrofits accelerate |
| 2036+ | 15% | Minimum level; reclaimed refrigerant becomes the primary supply |
How the AIM Act Schedule Applies to R-410A
The EPA set the HFC phasedown as production bands rather than a single annual step. Under the AIM Act, 2024 through 2028 collectively cap HFC production and consumption at 60% of the historic baseline. This banded structure gives manufacturers and the supply chain flexibility to allocate production across years, and it has directly shaped the refrigerant transition now underway.
For R-410A specifically, the practical result was the end of new R-410A equipment production on January 1, 2025, as OEMs retooled for lower-GWP refrigerants. Existing R-410A systems remain legal to own and service. You do not need to replace an R-410A system just because of the phase-down — the cap limits new manufacturing of the refrigerant, not the servicing of equipment already installed.
What Happens to R-410A Servicing in 2026 and Beyond
Contractor demand for R-410A is being met largely from existing inventory and reclaimed refrigerant. Industry reporting from August 2026 (ACHR News) indicated roughly 80% of distributors entered the year with ample R-410A stock, which cushions the 60% band. As the schedule tightens to 30% (2029–2033) and then 20% (2034–2035), reclaimed and recycled R-410A becomes an increasingly important source, and pricing will reflect that tightening supply.
R-410A has a GWP of about 2,088, so it sits at the high end of the phasedown. The new US residential standard is R-454B (Opteon XL41, GWP ~467), used by Carrier, Trane, and Lennox. Daikin and most ductless systems use R-32 (GWP ~675). None of R-454B, R-32, or R-410A are drop-in interchangeable — each system must be charged with its own approved refrigerant, and retrofitting requires trained, licensed handling.
FAQ: R-410A Phase-Down Schedule
Q: Is R-410A being banned in 2025?
A: No. New R-410A equipment production ended January 1, 2025, but the refrigerant itself remains legal to use for servicing millions of installed systems. The phase-down caps production; it does not prohibit repairs.
Q: Can I still buy R-410A in 2026?
A: Yes. Distributors entered 2026 with ample inventory (about 80% had solid stock per August 2026 ACHR News reporting), and reclaimed R-410A supplements virgin supply. Availability will tighten as bands drop to 30% and 20%.
Q: What are the exact EPA AIM Act bands?
A: 90% of baseline for 2022–2023, 60% for 2024–2028, 30% for 2029–2033, 20% for 2034–2035, and 15% from 2036 onward. These are production/consumption caps, not bans on servicing.
Q: Do I need to replace my R-410A system because of the phase-down?
A: No. Existing R-410A equipment is fully legal to keep and service. The phase-down only limits how much new refrigerant can be manufactured, not how your installed system is repaired.
Q: What refrigerant is replacing R-410A?
A: R-454B (Opteon XL41, GWP ~467) is the new US residential standard used by Carrier, Trane, and Lennox. R-32 (GWP ~675) is used by Daikin and ductless systems. Neither is a drop-in for R-410A.
Q: Can R-454B or R-32 be charged into an R-410A system?
A: No. R-454B, R-32, and R-410A are not drop-in interchangeable. Each system must be charged with its own approved refrigerant, and handling these refrigerants requires proper training and licensing.
Q: When do the bands get tightest for R-410A?
A: From 2036 onward the cap falls to 15% of baseline, and reclaimed R-410A becomes the primary supply source. Retrofits and replacements are expected to accelerate through 2034–2035 as the 20% band bites.
Q: Will R-410A cost more every year?
A: Generally yes, as the bands tighten and virgin supply declines. Recycled and reclaimed R-410A will increasingly drive pricing, and contractors should recover and reclaim R-410A rather than venting it.
Call to Action
Unsure whether your existing system’s refrigerant is still serviced — or ready to upgrade to an R-454B or heat pump system? Chilly Air serves the Tampa Bay area with honest, licensed HVAC guidance. Call us at 813-445-6228 or email orders@chillyairllc.com, and explore our heat pump options to see what fits your home.
*Last updated: September 16, 2026. Sources: EPA “Frequent Questions on the Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons” (epa.gov/hfcs, updated 2026-09-14); ACHR News (Aug 12, 2026) distributor R-410A inventory reporting.