R-410A Is Going Away
No R-410A? No problem. Stay compliant and stay ahead with our guide on new refrigerants. We’ll cover why the refrigerant changeover’s happening, the complete timeline for the R-410A phaseout, and why the switch is actually great news for technicians.
First and foremost:
Why Is This Happening?
Believe it or not, the main purpose of the changeover isn’t to make life more difficult for technicians. R410A, sometimes known as Puron, has a very high GWP, or Global Warming Potential. It carries a GWP of around two thousand eighty-eight. For reference, notorious climate villain Carbon Dioxide comes in with a whopping G-W-P of one. Being over two thousand times worse than C-O-two means despite the catchy name, Puron is actually little less than pure.
If you’re concerned about how the refrigerant change may impact you and your existing customers, don’t worry:
You Won’t Have to Quit R-410A Cold Turkey
The production-stop-date for R-410A products and equipment was December 31st, 2024 – but that only covers physically manufacturing new equipment. New R-410A systems can be installed by technicians until the end of 2025 and individual R-410A products remain in-play through twenty twenty-seven.
The bottom line is:
It’s More of a Gradual Phase-Out than an Abrupt Halt
That said, you can probably anticipate product shortages as the deadline gets closer and people hoard stock up on what they can while it’s still available. SupplyHouse.com will continue to carry R-410A units, parts, and refrigerants for as long as we can get inventory through the respective phase-out dates. We’ll also begin stocking new units, parts, and refrigerants compliant with the new A2L guidelines:
What does A2L Mean?
- A: Low toxicity
- 2: Low flammability
- L: Low burning velocity
The letters don’t line up very well, but essentially, A2L compliance means chemicals that aren’t highly flammable or toxic and have a low burning velocity. At least they got the “L” right.
Meet the New Refrigerants on the Block
Going forward, two of the most commonly used refrigerants will be R32 and R454B. Both refrigerants are more efficient than R-410A, offer better heat transfer properties, and have GWPs of under 700.
Importantly, both refrigerants have zero ozone depletion potential, making them more likely to be long-term solutions.
What are some A2L Certified Units?
Split systems like the 2 Ton Goodman GLXS5BA2410 use R-32 and are already field-proven.
The Goodman GLXS3BN6010 offers 5 tons of cooling and meets new federal benchmarks.
Installers working with mini-splits can spec the Bluefin BFMS2418BA-02, a 24,000 BTU unit that pairs R-454B with Wi-Fi control and inverter technology.
For larger installations, the BFMS3618BA-02 delivers 36,000 BTU using the same refrigerant.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to A2L Compressors
Propane-based R-290 carries a GWP of just 3. It’s ideal for low-temperature systems, provided the install meets A3-rated safety protocols.
SupplyHouse stocks R-290 compressors in multiple capacities and voltages to meet the field’s evolving needs.
The Embraco NT2180UV1 delivers 1 HP at 115V for medium-load systems.
Contractors working with 208–230V setups can pivot to the NT2180UV2 for the same capacity and a different voltage requirement.
Lower-capacity models include the NEU2155U1 at 1/2 HP and the FFU160UAX1 at 1/3 HP.
For tight installs, the Secop NLE10CN-1 provides a compact all-in-one R-290 solution.
The iO HVAC UT-SWM lets smart thermostats work with older two-wire systems without running new cable.
For direct temperature control, the TS-55 and TS-60 handle hydronic zone calls or fan coil operation with clean, setpoint-based precision.
Refrigerant Regulation and You
Historically speaking, refrigerant changes, while inconvenient, are actually major wins for trade professionals. New refrigerants mean:
- More efficient equipment and fewer service trips
- Better cooling capacities
- Overall happier customers
SupplyHouse has the inventory, the specs, and the support to keep pace with where the trade is headed next!
