Your Advocacy Brings a Holiday Miracle – More Time to Install R-410A Equipment!

Posted on:

December 21, 2023

In response to overwhelming stakeholder feedback, including over 230 letters from ACCA advocates and the lobbying efforts of ACCA and its allies, on December 20, 2023, the EPA agreed to change its “final rule” that would have banned installation of R-410A systems effective January 1, 2025. This is a huge win for ACCA and its members, averting a supply chain nightmare that would have severely impacted contracting businesses as early as next summer.

This new Interim Final Rule allows for the inventory of higher-GWP HFC equipment manufactured or imported before January 1, 2025, to be installed until January 1, 2026. The Technology Transition Rule still has wide-ranging implications for system repair and component replacement, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, and more! Read about the original rule in ACCA government relations manager Chris Czarnecki’s previously posted blog, and see EPA’s updated Frequently Asked Questions for details.

How Concerned Are ACCA Members About Being Stuck With Unsold R410a equipment if the 1125 installation ban remains in effect

Importantly, the January 1, 2025 ban on manufacture of R-410a equipment remains in effect. Contractors must still prepare for the transition to mildly flammable A2L refrigerants, but this new rule averts a supply chain trainwreck. Fearing unsold equipment, distributors started cancelling orders and some manufacturers threatened to end production of current equipment in early 2024.

Almost all contractors responding a recent ACCA survey said such a rushed transition would cause challenges for their business, with just 18% saying A2L alternatives are currently available from their primary distributor and just 14% expressing confidence that building codes in their service area allow A2Ls in residential settings.

While an encouraging 70% of survey respondents said they’re already doing their part by training and equipping their teams to install A2L equipment, it’s clear that contractors need more time for this transition. A whopping 72% expected “significant difficulties” transitioning to alternatives due to inventory availability and a majority were at least somewhat concerned about being stuck with unsold R-410a equipment.

While ACCA is happy with this one-year delay in the installation ban, we still share concern that more needs to be done to address contractor concerns before making a hasty transition to new refrigerants. ACCA also submitted comments this week regarding EPA’s HFC Refrigerant Management Rule, which threatens to further increase the regulatory burden on contractors related to this transition.

As ACCA celebrates the win on this delay, we would like to remind you to continue to take action on other hot industry topics. All of our ACTion alerts can be found here.