If you have seen new air conditioners in 2025 or 2026, they probably already use a different refrigerant. Here is why.
Why are refrigerants changing?
The AIM Act of 2020 gave the EPA the task of reducing HFC refrigerants with a high global warming potential. Under the EPA Technology Transitions rule, new residential air conditioning systems must use lower-impact refrigerants. That is why R-410A, which was used for years, is being replaced in new equipment.
The most common replacements are R-454B and R-32, which have a much lower global warming potential than R-410A.
What does A2L mean?
It is a safety classification from the ASHRAE 34 standard:
- The “A” means low toxicity.
- The “2L” means they are mildly flammable: they can ignite under specific conditions, although less easily than other flammable gases.
What changes when handling them?
Because they are mildly flammable, A2L refrigerants call for different precautions:
- Tools and recovery equipment approved for A2L.
- Good ventilation and control of ignition sources in the area.
- Specific charging, recovery and evacuation procedures.
- Proper leak detection.
In the Safe Handling of A2L Flammable Refrigerants course you learn the classification, the precautions and the procedures step by step.
Educational content from Learning Trade Center of Florida.
