Awaiting expert review. This page covers safety or regulatory rules that change over time. It is kept out of search results until a qualified reviewer has checked it; the sources below are dated so you can verify each point.
Quick answer
Refrigerant is the working fluid in an air conditioner, heat pump or refrigerator that absorbs heat by boiling at low pressure and releases it by condensing at high pressure as it circulates in a sealed loop.
Home systems have used R-22, then R-410A, and now lower-GWP refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32, under EPA rules that took effect for new systems on 1 January 2025.
Quick facts
The key facts about Refrigerant, with sources:
- What it does
- Moves heat by boiling and condensing in a sealed loop
- Common types in homes
- R-22 (older), R-410A, R-454B, R-32
- GWP (EPA reference table)
- R-410A 2,088; HFC-32 675; R-454B 465 4
- New-system limit
- GWP below 700 for residential and light commercial AC and heat pumps, from 1 January 2025 1
- Existing systems
- May keep running and be serviced; equipment existing before 27 December 2020 exempt from Subpart B 1
- R-22
- No US production or import since 1 January 2020 9
- Who may handle it
- EPA Section 608 certified technicians 7
Key takeaways
- Refrigerant is not fuel; it is not used up. Low refrigerant means a leak.
- New home AC and heat pump systems must use a refrigerant with GWP under 700, effective 1 January 2025 1.
- EPA's May 2026 final rule removed the deadline for installing systems whose parts were all made or imported before 2025 2.
- Existing R-410A and R-22 systems can still be repaired; EPA says homeowners may replace a failed condensing unit 2.
- Only EPA 608 certified technicians may service refrigerant circuits, and venting is prohibited 7 8.
What refrigerant is
Refrigerant is a chemical picked because it boils at a low temperature under pressures a home system can handle. In the indoor coil it boils and soaks up heat from your air.
The compressor carries it outside, where it condenses and gives the heat away. Then it comes back to do it again. That loop is the refrigeration cycle.
People often call any refrigerant "Freon," which is a brand name. Home systems have used several. R-22, an ozone-depleting HCFC, was standard until about 2010. R-410A, an HFC blend, replaced it. New systems now use lower-GWP refrigerants such as R-454B, a blend of R-32 and R-1234yf, and R-32 itself 10.
Two numbers describe a refrigerant's climate effect: ozone depletion potential (zero for R-410A, R-454B and R-32) and global warming potential (GWP), which compares its warming effect with carbon dioxide.
Where refrigerant goes in a split system
- Indoor coil (evaporator): cold liquid boils, absorbs room heat → vapor
- → suction line (large insulated copper) → outdoor compressor
- → outdoor coil (condenser): hot vapor gives up heat → liquid
- → liquid line (small copper) → metering device → back to indoor coil
- Service ports on the outdoor unit: where a certified tech connects gauges
How refrigerant behaves
Each refrigerant has its own pressure-temperature curve. That is why gauges and charts are refrigerant-specific, and why mixing refrigerants or "topping off" with the wrong one damages systems.
Blends behave a little differently from single compounds. R-454B has a small temperature glide of about 1.5 K, meaning it boils over a narrow range rather than at one point 10. R-32 is a single compound with no glide.
Refrigerant travels with oil that lubricates the compressor. Newer HFC and HFO refrigerants use POE oil; Chemours lists R-454B as miscible with POE lubricants 10.
Refrigerants in US homes, compared
| Refrigerant | Type | GWP (EPA table) | Safety class | Status for new home systems |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-22 | HCFC (ozone-depleting) | Not in TT table | Not A2L | No US production or import since 1 Jan 2020 9 |
| R-410A | HFC blend | 2,088 4 | Not A2L | Above 700: not for new systems from 1 Jan 2025, except pre-2025 component inventory 1 |
| R-454B | HFC/HFO blend (R-32/R-1234yf) | 465 4 | A2L 10 | Allowed, with SNAP use conditions 5 |
| R-32 | Single HFC | 675 4 | A2L 11 | Allowed, with SNAP use conditions 6 |
Worked example: what a leak means in CO₂ terms
GWP multiplies the mass leaked to give a carbon dioxide equivalent. GWPs from EPA 4. The 5-pound leak is assumed for illustration.
| Refrigerant | GWP | Math | CO₂-equivalent of a 5 lb leak |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-410A | 2,088 | 5 × 2,088 | 10,440 lb CO₂e (about 4.7 metric tons) |
| HFC-32 (R-32) | 675 | 5 × 675 | 3,375 lb CO₂e (about 1.5 metric tons) |
| R-454B | 465 | 5 × 465 | 2,325 lb CO₂e (about 1.1 metric tons) |
The same leak from an R-454B system has under a quarter of the warming effect of one from R-410A. That ratio, not a ban on old systems, is what the 2025 rule targets. Fixing leaks matters with every refrigerant.
Where to find your refrigerant type
- The data plate on the outdoor unit lists refrigerant type and factory charge.
- A2L units carry flammable refrigerant warning labels required by EPA's SNAP rules 5.
- The indoor unit plate on A2L systems shows a minimum room area 5 11.
- Your service ticket should name the refrigerant and how much was added or recovered.
Old vs new refrigerants
Newer A2L refrigerants (R-454B, R-32)
What refrigerant cannot do
Adding refrigerant does not fix a leak. If a system needs more, it is losing it somewhere. Topping off without finding the leak wastes money and releases a greenhouse gas.
You also cannot swap refrigerants freely. EPA's SNAP listings for R-454B and similar A2L refrigerants allow them only in new equipment specifically designed for them, not as a retrofit refrigerant for systems built for others 5.
Cost drivers
What moves the cost: the refrigerant type and its market supply, the amount needed, leak search and repair, and whether recovery and disposal of old refrigerant are included.
R-22 is no longer produced or imported, so service relies on recovered and reclaimed supply 9. EPA notes that R-410A prices may rise as the HFC phasedown continues, including its 2029 step 2.
HyreHVAC does not print refrigerant or repair prices without enough local quotes. See refrigerant leak repair and the repair-or-replace calculator.
How refrigerant service is done (by a certified pro)
- Find the leak with electronic detectors or bubble solution; for A2L systems the maker's manual lists suitable methods 11.
- Recover refrigerant into a recovery cylinder; venting is prohibited 8.
- Repair the leak.
- Evacuate: one R-32 manual calls for below 500 microns with a 10-minute hold 11.
- Charge by weight or to the maker's superheat or subcooling target.
- Record refrigerant type and amount on the ticket.
What owners can do
- Keep the outdoor unit clean and clear; this keeps pressures normal.
- Change filters to prevent frozen coils.
- Protect line-set insulation from pets, mowers and sun damage.
- Never open service ports, add refrigerant or use "AC recharge" cans on home systems 7.
Warning signs and safety
- Hissing at the coil or lines, oily spots at joints, or ice on the suction line: possible leak.
- Rising bills and longer run times with weak cooling.
- On A2L systems, the leak detection system may stop the compressor and run the blower; that is a designed safety response 11.
- If you smell an unusual odor near equipment, ventilate the area and call a certified technician.
- Refrigerant on skin can cause freeze burns; do not touch leaking lines 5.
The rules, and who they apply to (checked 10 October 2026)
New products and systems: EPA, 40 CFR 84.54 (AIM Act Technology Transitions). Effective 1 January 2025, no person may manufacture or import self-contained residential and light commercial AC and heat pump products using a refrigerant with GWP of 700 or more.
Effective the same date, no person may install residential or light commercial AC or heat pump systems using such a refrigerant, except variable refrigerant flow systems.
New systems above 700 GWP may continue to be installed where all specified components (condensing units, condensers, compressors, evaporator units and evaporators) were manufactured or imported before 1 January 2025 1.
The 2026 change. EPA's final rule published 26 May 2026 (91 FR 31284), effective 27 July 2026, removed the installation deadline for such pre-2025 inventory. The earlier rule had set 1 January 2026.
In the same rule EPA affirmed that a homeowner can replace a failed condensing unit rather than buy a whole system; replacing the indoor coil afterward counts as installing a new system 2. EPA's sector table, read 10 October 2026, matches 3.
Existing equipment. Subpart B does not apply to equipment in existence in the US before 27 December 2020 1. Owners of R-410A systems may keep using and repairing them.
Safety listings: EPA SNAP. R-454B and similar blends are acceptable in new residential and light commercial AC and heat pumps only, subject to use conditions including UL 60335-2-40 (3rd edition), charge limits by room size, warning labels and trained technicians (listing effective 7 June 2021) 5.
In a November 2025 proposal, EPA would update these conditions to UL 60335-2-40 4th edition or NRTL certification; as of EPA's April 2026 fact sheet it was still a proposal 6.
Handling. Section 608 certification is required to service equipment that could release refrigerants 7. R-22 has not been produced or imported in the US since 1 January 2020 9.
Refrigerant vs related terms
| Term | What it is | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerant | The working fluid | Parent term |
| A2L refrigerant | Mildly flammable safety class | R-454B, R-32 |
| Refrigerant leak | Loss from the sealed loop | The usual reason for low charge |
| Refrigerant recovery | Removing refrigerant into a cylinder | Required instead of venting |
| Coolant | Informal word; in cars, engine antifreeze | Not the same as refrigerant |
Common misconceptions
- Myth ACs use up refrigerant and need yearly recharges.
- Reality It circulates in a sealed loop; low charge means a leak.
- Myth R-410A systems became illegal on 1 January 2026.
- Reality EPA removed that installation deadline for pre-2025 component inventory in May 2026, and existing systems can be repaired 2.
- Myth You can put R-454B in an R-410A system.
- Reality SNAP bars using it as a retrofit refrigerant 5.
- Myth Freon is a type of refrigerant.
- Reality It is a brand name used for several refrigerants.
State rules can go further
The federal AIM Act rules apply nationwide. Some states set their own HFC rules on top; California, for example, has state regulations on high-GWP refrigerants, and Washington has its own HFC law.
HyreHVAC has not verified the current text of each state rule for this page, so check your state environmental agency before relying on a state-specific date. Our state pages cover local incentives and conditions.
When this matters to you
If your system works, the refrigerant rules do not require you to replace it. If it leaks, weigh repair against replacement: an R-22 system leaking often points to replacement; an R-410A system can usually be repaired.
Next step: read who may legally handle refrigerant, then compare options in the new system vs repair comparison.
Questions about Refrigerant
What refrigerant does my AC use?
Check the data plate on the outdoor unit; it names the refrigerant and the factory charge. Most systems installed from about 2010 to 2024 use R-410A. Many newer ones use R-454B or R-32. Older systems may use R-22.
Is R-410A being banned?
Not for existing systems. EPA's rule bars new residential systems using refrigerants with GWP of 700 or more from 1 January 2025, but systems with all components made or imported before 2025 may still be installed, and existing R-410A systems can be repaired.
Can I still get my R-410A system repaired?
Yes. EPA has said its rule is meant to let owners maintain existing systems, and in May 2026 it affirmed that a homeowner can replace a failed condensing unit. Replacing the indoor coil after that counts as a new system under the rule.
What is the difference between R-454B and R-32?
R-32 is a single compound with a GWP of 675 on EPA's table. R-454B is a blend of about 69% R-32 and 31% R-1234yf, with a GWP of 465. Both are A2L, mildly flammable refrigerants for new equipment.
Why do AC systems need refrigerant recharges?
They should not. Refrigerant circulates in a sealed loop. A system that needs more has a leak, which a certified technician should find and repair before recharging.
Is refrigerant dangerous?
It can be. Liquid refrigerant causes freeze burns, and in a closed space it can displace air. A2L refrigerants are mildly flammable, so new equipment has charge limits, labels and often leak detection. Leave all handling to certified technicians.
Can I buy refrigerant and add it myself?
No, for home central systems. EPA requires Section 608 certification to service equipment that could release refrigerant, and restricts refrigerant sales. Recharge kits sold for cars are not for home ACs.
What happened to R-22?
R-22 is an ozone-depleting HCFC. EPA ended US production and import except for servicing existing equipment from 1 January 2010, and ended it entirely on 1 January 2020. Service now relies on recovered and reclaimed R-22.
What does GWP mean for refrigerant?
Global warming potential compares a gas's warming effect with carbon dioxide over 100 years. EPA's table lists 2,088 for R-410A, 675 for R-32 and 465 for R-454B. New home systems must use a refrigerant below 700.
Sources
- eCFR, 40 CFR Part 84 Subpart B, §§ 84.52–84.56 (version of 1 September 2026), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Reconsideration of Certain Regulatory Requirements Promulgated Under the Technology Transitions Provisions of the AIM Act, 91 FR 31284 (26 May 2026, effective 27 July 2026), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Technology Transitions HFC Restrictions by Sector, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Technology Transitions GWP Reference Table (updated 2 April 2026), retrieved .
- eCFR, 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart G, Appendix W: SNAP substitutes listed in the 6 May 2021 final rule (effective 7 June 2021), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Fact Sheet: Proposed SNAP Rule 27 (April 2026), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Stationary Refrigeration: Prohibition on Venting Refrigerants, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Phaseout of Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances, retrieved .
- Chemours, Opteon XL41 (R-454B) Product Information (C-11001, 9/2016), retrieved .
- Goodman / ACiQ, A/GPHM3 13.4 SEER2 M-Series packaged heat pump with R-32, installation instructions (IOG-3035B, 2025), retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyreHVAC Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Held under G-REV. Rule text copied from the eCFR versions of 40 CFR 84 Subpart B and 40 CFR 82 Subpart G Appendix W (1 September 2026).
The 2026 change from the Federal Register document 91 FR 31284; GWPs from EPA's reference table; R-22 dates from EPA's ODS phaseout page; all read 10 October 2026.
State HFC rules were not verified and are not quoted.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.