If an HVAC contractor has quoted you a new system lately, you have probably seen "R-454B" or "R-32" on the paperwork instead of the familiar R-410A. If you have an older system, you may have heard that R-410A is "banned" and your unit is now obsolete. Neither the scare nor the sales pitch tells the whole story. Here is what the federal rules actually say, with the dates exactly as EPA publishes them, and what they mean for repairing or replacing AC in San Antonio's long cooling season.
Why the refrigerant is changing
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, enacted on December 27, 2020, directs EPA to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 85 percent from historic baseline levels by 2036. HFCs are refrigerants with a high global warming potential (GWP). EPA's reference table lists:
| Refrigerant | GWP (EPA) | Allowed in new residential split systems? |
|---|---|---|
| R-410A | 2,088 | Only for systems whose components were all made or imported before January 1, 2025 |
| R-454B | 465 | Yes (under the 700 limit) |
| R-32 (HFC-32) | 675 | Yes (under the 700 limit) |
The key dates
- January 1, 2025: new residential and light commercial split air conditioning and heat pump systems, including mini splits and unitary systems, must use a refrigerant with a GWP under 700. In practice that means R-454B or R-32. R-410A, at 2,088, does not qualify.
- May 21, 2026: EPA finalized a rule revising its 2023 Technology Transitions Rule. For residential AC and heat pump systems, it removed the January 1, 2026 installation compliance date for equipment using higher-GWP refrigerants that was manufactured or imported before January 1, 2025, and allows that pre-2025 inventory to be installed until supply runs out.
- January 1, 2027: the same 700 limit applies to variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, which are mostly a commercial product.
You may still find older articles, and even an older EPA FAQ answer, saying a whole new system had to use the lower-GWP refrigerant after January 1, 2026. That cutoff was removed by the May 2026 rule. EPA's current restriction table says there is no installation compliance date for systems where all specified components were made or imported before January 1, 2025.
What this means if you are replacing a system
A new system quote in San Antonio will usually be one of two things: a new R-454B or R-32 system, or a system built from R-410A equipment made before 2025 that is still in a distributor's stock. Both are legal to install. Questions worth asking:
- Which refrigerant does this system use, and when were the outdoor unit and indoor coil manufactured?
- If it is R-410A inventory, how will refrigerant and parts availability affect future repairs?
- Is the outdoor unit matched to the indoor coil and furnace or air handler?
- What is the SEER2 rating? In Texas a new split AC under about 4 tons must be at least 14.3 SEER2 (13.8 for larger), and a split heat pump at least 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2.
Matching matters for rebates too: CPS Energy verifies efficiency with an AHRI certificate that must match the condenser, coil and furnace model numbers. See our guide to CPS Energy AC rebates and the AC replacement page for what goes into a replacement quote.
Repairs on existing R-410A systems
An R-410A system that is working today is not illegal and does not have to be replaced. EPA's FAQ is direct: "Yes, you can continue to repair your existing refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump system. This includes replacing a major component like a condensing unit or compressor." EPA also says a homeowner can have a faulty component, such as a condensing unit or indoor coil, replaced with a similar R-410A component.
Specified components made with R-410A after January 1, 2025, such as condensing units, compressors and evaporator coils, must be labeled for "servicing existing equipment only." EPA cautions that refrigerant and component availability may lessen over time as HFCs are phased down, which is one reason R-410A repairs may cost more in coming years.
For context, published cost guides (2024–2026, national) put a refrigerant recharge after a leak is fixed at about $150–$900, leak repair plus recharge at about $200–$1,500, and a compressor replacement at $600–$4,000. These are estimates, not quotes. If a large repair is on the table, weigh it against a new system using our San Antonio HVAC cost guide.
Mild flammability: why installation details matter
According to EPA, R-454B and R-32 are mildly flammable refrigerants, and SNAP rules and industry standards prohibit using these refrigerants in systems not designed for them. That is a job for a trained technician, not a reason for alarm, but it is one more reason to hire a licensed company whose technicians are trained on the new equipment.
Never mix refrigerants
A system is designed for one refrigerant. Never "top off" an R-410A system with a different refrigerant, and never put R-410A into a system built for R-454B or R-32. With the newer refrigerants, mixing would put a mildly flammable gas into equipment never designed for it, which EPA notes the standards prohibit. If a technician suggests a "drop-in" substitute for your system, ask for the manufacturer's written approval.
A low charge also means a leak somewhere. Refrigerant does not get "used up." The fix is to find and repair the leak, then recharge with the correct refrigerant.
Who can handle refrigerant
Federal rules under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerant to be EPA certified. Those certifications do not expire. In Texas, the technician should also be TDLR-registered or certified and working under a TDLR-licensed contractor. Texas's homeowner exemption from state licensing does not lift the federal EPA 608 requirement, so homeowners should not open refrigerant lines. Our guide on checking a Texas HVAC license covers what to verify.
The same rules apply across the area
These are federal rules, so they are the same whether you live in an older central San Antonio neighborhood or a newer subdivision in New Braunfels. What differs locally is the permit and rebate paperwork. In a climate where the airport averages about 122 days a year at 90°F or higher (NOAA 1991–2020 normals), the practical question for most homeowners is simply whether to keep repairing a working R-410A system or move to a new one. Our repair or replace guide walks through that decision, and the heat pump page covers the same refrigerant change for heat pumps.
Get quotes on both options
We connect San Antonio-area homeowners with independent, TDLR-licensed local HVAC contractors for free, no-obligation quotes. Ask the companies you talk to for a repair price and a replacement price, with the refrigerant listed on each, so you can compare. Request your free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is R-410A banned for home AC in Texas?
Not for existing systems. Since January 1, 2025, new residential split systems must use refrigerant with a GWP under 700, such as R-454B or R-32. Under EPA's May 21, 2026 rule, systems whose components were all made or imported before 2025 can still be installed until supply runs out, and existing R-410A systems can still be repaired.
Can I add R-454B to my R-410A air conditioner?
No. A system is designed for one refrigerant, and you should never top off an R-410A system with a different refrigerant. EPA notes that R-454B and R-32 are mildly flammable and that standards prohibit using them in systems not designed for them. A low charge means a leak, which should be found and repaired first.
Can my R-410A system still be repaired?
Yes. EPA says you can continue to repair existing air conditioning and heat pump systems, including replacing a major component such as a condensing unit or compressor with a similar R-410A part. R-410A components made after January 1, 2025 are labeled for servicing existing equipment only, and availability may lessen over time.