R-410A Is Being Phased Out: Here's What Florida Homeowners Need to Know

If your air conditioner was installed between roughly 2010 and 2024, there’s a good chance it uses R-410A refrigerant, also known by the brand name Puron. For years, R-410A was the industry standard replacement for R-22 (Freon), which was phased out due to its ozone-depleting properties. Now, R-410A itself is being phased out, and the implications for Florida homeowners are significant.

Here’s what’s happening, what the timeline looks like, and what it means for your system.

Why Is R-410A Being Phased Out?

R-410A doesn’t deplete the ozone layer like R-22 did, but it is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential nearly 2,000 times that of carbon dioxide. Under the AIM Act (American Innovation and Manufacturing Act) and EPA regulations, the production and import of high-GWP refrigerants, including R-410A, is being significantly reduced.

The transition mirrors what happened with R-22: production is being curtailed, prices rise as supply tightens, and the industry shifts to lower-GWP alternatives. The replacement refrigerants include R-32, R-454B (marketed as Puron Advance), and R-466A, among others.

The Timeline

January 1, 2025 marked the effective end of manufacturing new equipment that uses R-410A in the United States. HVAC manufacturers have already transitioned their product lines to use next-generation refrigerants. The transition to new refrigerants is underway across all equipment tiers.

Importantly, the phase-out of manufacturing does not mean R-410A itself disappears immediately. Existing systems can continue to operate using R-410A for years to come. The refrigerant will remain available for servicing existing equipment, though prices will increase as production is reduced over time.

What This Means If You Have an R-410A System

If your current air conditioner runs on R-410A and is functioning well, you don’t need to do anything right now. The system can continue to be serviced and recharged with R-410A for the foreseeable future.

However, there are important cost considerations to be aware of:

Refrigerant prices will rise. As production quotas tighten, the cost of R-410A will increase, similar to what happened with R-22, which went from a few dollars per pound to over $100 per pound before its phase-out. If your system develops a refrigerant leak, repair costs may be higher than they were a few years ago.

A major breakdown could force a replacement decision. If an R-410A system suffers a compressor failure or other major component failure, the calculus changes. Replacing a major component in an aging R-410A system versus replacing the whole system with a new, more efficient unit using next-generation refrigerant becomes a real conversation.

New Systems: What to Expect

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, all new residential equipment will use next-generation refrigerants. The good news: these new systems are also more efficient, with higher SEER2 ratings and in many cases variable-speed technology that delivers better comfort and lower operating costs than what you’re replacing.

New refrigerants require different handling procedures and slightly different system designs, which is why a new system can’t simply be “recharged” with a different refrigerant if your old one develops a leak. The refrigerants are not interchangeable.

Questions to Ask Your HVAC Contractor

• What refrigerant does the system I’m considering use?
• Is the equipment certified for the new refrigerant standards?
• What is the SEER2 efficiency rating?
• Are there any available rebates for upgrading to a higher-efficiency system?

Corman & Sons stays current with all refrigerant regulations and carries equipment that meets today’s efficiency and environmental standards. Whether you have questions about your current system or are thinking about an upgrade, give us a call. We’ve been navigating industry changes for Central Florida homeowners since 1995.