The Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) reported that low-global warming potential (GWP) A2L refrigerant-based equipment represented 91% of U.S. distributor sales in September 2025. This marks a near completion of the HVACR industry's transition to A2L refrigerants in central ducted systems, following a rapid shift that began with single-digit adoption rates at the end of 2024.
According to HARDI’s Unitary Market Intelligence Report, the transition to A2L refrigerants has accelerated throughout 2025. Despite this, some distributors still maintain limited inventories of equipment using R-410A refrigerant, which may be affected by installation bans outlined in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Technology Transition Rule.
The current EPA rule prohibits the installation of certain residential and light commercial equipment after specific dates, regardless of the product's manufacturing or purchase date. In response, HARDI supports an EPA proposal to repeal the installation-date-based prohibition, which would allow distributors to sell through remaining compliant R-410A inventory.
“With the transition effectively complete, there is no environmental justification for preventing the installation of compliant equipment already in the supply chain,” said Alex Ayers, HARDI Vice President of Government Affairs.
HARDI is also urging the EPA to reassess other installation and sell-through provisions that apply to additional HVACR product categories. The organization advocates for consistent regulations that support a market-based transition and reduce disruption across the supply chain.
HARDI continues to provide industry data and insights through its Unitary Market Intelligence Report to help HVACR stakeholders adapt to regulatory changes and market developments.
