May 2026 - EPA Officially Removes Installation Compliance Date for Left-Over R-410A Residential and Light Commercial Equipment
May 2026 - EPA Officially Removes Installation Compliance Date for Left-Over R-410A Residential and Light Commercial Equipment
On May 21st 2026, the EPA officially removed the installation compliance date for residential and light commercial equipment, as discussed and predicted in previous posts. This updated ruling only impacts left-over R-410A inventory, for equipment manufactured and imported prior to 1/1/2025 (approximately 1.5 years ago), and intended for new systems. Many manufacturers no longer have any R-410A inventory for new systems in many product categories; however, some manufacturers are still sitting on a fairly large number of R-410A SKUs from before 1/1/2025. This expected ruling officially allows for this inventory to be installed in new systems.
As of today, VRV/VRF equipment is still following the dates originally set out for this equipment, which means that any left-over R-410A inventory manufactured and imported prior to 1/1/2026 (this deadline was one year later than most other residential and light commercial equipment), needs to be installed by 1/1/2027. However, it is the opinion of DXS that EPA’s earlier announcement that it would deprioritize enforcement of the installation compliance dates also applies to the VRV/VRF installation compliance date, reducing risks for owners and contractors installing VRV/VRF beyond 1/1/2027 (disclaimer: the official EPA rules still show an installation compliance date of 1/1/2027).
DXS does not expect any further major changes to the EPA refrigerant transition rules, as it pertains to residential, light commercial, and VRV/VRF equipment moving forward. The EPA may also officially remove the installation compliance date for VRV/VRF. Otherwise, the refrigerant transition away from R-410A (and other refrigerants) to R-32 (and other refrigerants) is well underway, and in most markets, A2L refrigerants are already becoming common practice.