EPA refrigerant timeline: AIM Act phasedown, R-410A, A2Ls and R-22
The dates that move refrigerant prices and decide what you can install, in plain English. Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026.
Note: Plain-English summary for orientation only. Not legal advice. Check the linked rule text, your state's rules and your equipment manufacturer before acting. Some states have stricter rules than federal law.
- Jan 1, 2020 R-22 In effect
R-22 production and import ends
No new R-22 (HCFC-22) may be produced or imported in the US. You may keep using and servicing an existing R-22 system; service gas comes from recovered/reclaimed R-22 or stock made before 2020.
Who it affects: Homeowners, contractors with R-22 equipment - Dec 27, 2020 AIM Act In effect
AIM Act signed into law
Congress gives EPA authority to (1) phase down HFC production/import with allowances, (2) maximize reclaim and cut leaks, and (3) restrict HFCs in new equipment by sector ('Technology Transitions').
Who it affects: Everyone in the supply chain - May 6, 2021 A2L In effect
EPA SNAP Rule 23: R-454B and R-32 approved for new residential/light-commercial AC
R-454B (and several other A2L blends) and R-32 are listed as acceptable, subject to use conditions, in NEW residential and light-commercial AC and heat pumps. A2Ls are not approved as a retrofit into existing R-410A equipment.
Who it affects: Manufacturers, installers - Jan 1, 2022 Phasedown In effect
HFC phasedown step 1: 90% of baseline (2022–2023)
Production and consumption allowances cut 10% below the historic baseline.
Who it affects: Producers/importers (affects supply and price) - October 2023 Technology Transitions In effect
Technology Transitions final rule (2023)
Sets GWP limits for new equipment by sector, with compliance dates generally from Jan 1, 2025 to Jan 1, 2028. For residential/light-commercial AC and heat pumps the limit is GWP below 700 — which rules out R-410A in new systems.
Who it affects: Manufacturers, distributors, installers - Dec 26, 2023 Technology Transitions Superseded
Interim rule: R-410A installation allowed through end of 2025
Gave installers until Jan 1, 2026 to install split systems if all components were made/imported before Jan 1, 2025. This deadline was later removed (see July 27, 2026).
Who it affects: Installers, builders - Jan 1, 2024 Phasedown In effect
HFC phasedown step 2: 60% of baseline (2024–2028)
Allowances drop to 60% of baseline and stay there through 2028.
Who it affects: Producers/importers (affects supply and price) - Oct 11, 2024 Reclaim & leaks In effect
Emissions Reduction and Reclamation (ER&R) rule published
Adds leak-repair rules for larger HFC appliances, a reclaimed-refrigerant purity standard, future required use of reclaimed HFCs in some sectors, disposable-cylinder recovery and recordkeeping.
Who it affects: Commercial/refrigeration owners and techs, reclaimers - Jan 1, 2025 Technology Transitions In effect
No new R-410A residential/light-commercial equipment manufactured or imported
Manufacture/import of new self-contained residential and light-commercial AC/heat pump products with GWP 700 or greater is prohibited. New systems ship with A2Ls such as R-454B or R-32. R-410A refrigerant itself is still sold for service.
Who it affects: Manufacturers, importers, contractors - December 2025 Technology Transitions Superseded
EPA says it will not prioritize enforcing the R-410A install deadline
As the Jan 1, 2026 installation deadline approached, EPA said the deadline stayed on the books but enforcement would not be a priority while it finished a new rule.
Who it affects: Installers, distributors - Jan 1, 2026 Reclaim & leaks In effect
ER&R leak repair begins for appliances with 15+ lb HFC charge
Owners and certified techs must follow leak-rate and repair rules on covered appliances with 15 lb or more. Residential and light-commercial AC/heat pumps are NOT covered by these leak-repair rules.
Who it affects: Facility managers, commercial refrigeration techs - Jan 1, 2026 Technology Transitions In effect
New VRF systems: GWP 700+ restriction begins
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems for residential/light-commercial use with GWP 700 or greater are restricted from Jan 1, 2026; ones with all components made/imported before then may be installed before Jan 1, 2027.
Who it affects: Commercial installers, engineers - Jul 27, 2026 Technology Transitions In effect
R-410A installation deadline removed for pre-2025 inventory
EPA's final reconsideration rule (published May 26, 2026) lets non-VRF residential/light-commercial systems be installed with no federal end date, as long as ALL specified components were made in or imported into the US before Jan 1, 2025. New R-410A systems still can't be built from post-2024 components; labeled service parts for existing systems remain available.
Who it affects: Installers, distributors, homeowners comparing quotes - Oct 6, 2026 Phasedown In effect
EPA issues 2027 HFC allowances
2027 allowances: 229,521,263 MTEVe production and 181,522,990 MTEVe consumption — in line with the 60% step that runs through 2028. EPA also withheld or revoked some companies' 2027 allowances as administrative consequences.
Who it affects: Producers/importers; anyone watching supply - Jan 1, 2027 Technology Transitions Upcoming
VRF installation cutoff (most pre-2026 VRF components)
GWP 700+ VRF systems with components made/imported before Jan 1, 2026 must be installed before this date (a later date applies to certain projects with building permits issued before Oct 5, 2023).
Who it affects: Commercial installers - Jan 1, 2029 Phasedown Upcoming
HFC phasedown step 3: 30% of baseline (2029–2033)
Allowances are cut in half again from today's level. Expect this to matter for R-410A service-gas supply.
Who it affects: Everyone servicing HFC equipment - Jan 1, 2029 Reclaim & leaks Upcoming
Reclaimed HFCs required for servicing some sectors
Servicing/repair must use reclaimed HFCs in supermarket systems, refrigerated transport and automatic commercial ice makers.
Who it affects: Commercial refrigeration - Jan 1, 2034 Phasedown Upcoming
HFC phasedown step 4: 20% of baseline (2034–2035)
- Jan 1, 2036 Phasedown Upcoming
HFC phasedown final step: 15% of baseline (2036 onward)
An 85% reduction from baseline.
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