No surcharge. No compromise: Carrier’s commitment to contractors during the R-454B shortage

Posted on:

June 25, 2025

As the HVACR industry transitions to lower-GWP refrigerants, contractors are facing a perfect storm: accelerated EPA timelines, limited A2L-compliant cylinders, and a surge in demand following strong Q1 adoption. The result? A significant shortage of R-454B refrigerant—and a lot of uncertainty in the field.

At Carrier, we’re not just watching this unfold. We’re acting.

What’s driving the shortage?

Accelerated EPA transition: The regulatory push to adopt lower-GWP refrigerants has moved faster than many anticipated.
Cylinder constraints: A2L refrigerants like R-454B require specialized cylinders with pressure relief disks and valve stems—components that are in short supply.
Demand surge: Strong early adoption of R-454B systems has outpaced forecasts, straining supply chains.

Carrier’s response: bold, immediate, and contractor-first

We’ve launched a series of proactive measures to help you keep delivering:

Secured additional supply: We’re working with multiple suppliers and onboarding new down-packers to expand availability.
Redirected inventory: Internal refrigerant stock is being reallocated to distribution channels to reduce lead times.
Doubled pre-charge: Residential ducted splits now come pre-charged for 30 ft line sets—up from the standard 15 ft—at no extra cost.
No surcharges: Despite rising costs, we are not passing them on to you. No hidden fees. No surprise markups.

What you can do

Order only what you need: Help stabilize the supply chain by avoiding stockpiling.
Stay informed: Follow Carrier updates via LinkedIn, press releases, and distributor communications.
Never mix refrigerants: R-454B is not interchangeable with R-32 or R-410A. Mixing voids warranties and violates UL standards.

Addressing the misinformation

We’ve seen the Reddit threads. The DIY YouTube videos. The myths circulating online. Let’s be clear:

“Mixing refrigerants is unsafe, voids warranties, and violates UL standards. Always use the refrigerant listed on the unit nameplate.”
— Nick Arch, Vice President and General Manager, Residential HVAC Solutions at Carrier.

Industry collaboration

We’re working closely with organizations like ACCA and HARDI to ensure accurate, timely information reaches the field. Our leadership team is actively engaging in media and industry forums to advocate for contractor needs and transparency.

Final word

This is a short-term disruption—not a long-term roadblock. Carrier is committed to leading this transition safely, transparently, and without compromise. We’re here to support you with the tools, training, and refrigerant you need to

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Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier is the world’s leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and food service customers. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.carrier.com.