AIM Act R410A Phase-Down: What HVAC Contractors Need to Know in 2026
Everything HVAC contractors need to know about the AIM Act R410A phase-down in 2026, including R32 vs R454B selection, A2L safety, and equipment compliance.
What the AIM Act Mandates
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act directs the EPA to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 85% over 15 years. R-410A, the dominant refrigerant in commercial HVAC for the past two decades, has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 2,088 — far above the new thresholds.
For commercial HVAC contractors, this means new equipment manufactured after January 1, 2025 must use refrigerants with GWP below 700.
The Phase-Down Timeline
- 2020: AIM Act signed into law
- 2022: EPA finalizes HFC Allocation Rule
- 2024: 40% cumulative reduction in HFC production baseline
- 2025: New commercial AC and heat pump equipment must use low-GWP refrigerants
- 2029: Further reductions; R-410A equipment increasingly difficult to source
- 2036: Final 85% reduction target
What Replaces R-410A?
Two refrigerants have emerged as the primary replacements for R-410A in commercial packaged units:
R-32 (GWP 675): Used by Daikin across their commercial packaged unit range from 1 to 25 tons. R-32 is a single-component refrigerant, making it easier to handle and recycle. Daikin has been the global leader in R-32 technology.
R-454B (GWP 466): Used by Carrier, Goodman, ACiQ, and Trane. R-454B is a zeotropic blend with a lower GWP than R-32. It is positioned as a near-drop-in replacement for R-410A in terms of system design.
A2L Safety Classification
Both R-32 and R-454B are classified as A2L — mildly flammable with low burning velocity. For contractors, this means:
- EPA 608 certification is still required
- Updated leak detection equipment calibrated for the specific refrigerant
- Storage and handling procedures must account for A2L classification
- Installation practices follow updated safety protocols
The flammability risk in properly installed commercial rooftop systems is very low. Most changes affect installation and service procedures rather than day-to-day operation.
Equipment Compatibility
R-32 and R-454B cannot be used as drop-in replacements in existing R-410A systems. New equipment designed for these refrigerants is required. However, existing R-410A systems can continue to operate and be serviced with reclaimed or existing R-410A refrigerant.
SEER2 Requirements
New equipment must also meet updated SEER2 minimum requirements. For commercial packaged units nationally, the minimum is 13.4 SEER2. Higher minimums apply in southern climate regions for residential and light commercial equipment.
How to Specify Compliant Equipment
When specifying equipment for new builds or replacement projects, ensure you select units with R-32 or R-454B refrigerant. ClimateProDirect carries a 100% AIM Act compliant catalog — every unit uses R-32 or R-454B. Visit our AIM Act compliance guide for detailed specifications.
