The transition to A2L refrigerants is reshaping the HVAC industry, requiring contractors to adapt to new technologies, safety protocols, and regulatory standards. The industry is moving to A2L refrigerants like R-454B and R-32 to comply with the EPA’s transition rule. As of Jan. 1, OEMs can no longer manufacture packaged rooftop units utilizing refrigerants with a GWP exceeding 700 in the U.S. Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems will undergo the mandated transition to Low GWP refrigerant on Jan. 1, 2026.
As low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants become more prevalent due to environmental regulations, HVAC professionals must stay ahead by investing in updated training, tools, and installation techniques. While A2Ls offer benefits such as improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact, their mildly flammable nature demands a heightened focus on proper handling, leak detection, and ventilation strategies. Navigating these changes successfully will be critical for contractors looking to remain competitive and compliant in an evolving marketplace.
Hopefully, most HVAC contractors have been preparing for this industry change well in advance. However, even with careful preparation, the switch to A2Ls comes with its own set of challenges for contractors.
“Transitioning to A2L refrigerants presents several challenges, including the need for specialized training for our field staff, upgrading tools and equipment,” notes Dayna Hottle, general manager of Roseville, Michigan-based C & C Heating & Air Conditioning. “Customer education is also crucial, as many homeowners have concerns about safety and costs. Additionally, potential supply chain delays, increased cost for the equipment, new tools and materials.”
Patrick Garner, service manager of Cardinal Plumbing, Heating Air, located in Sterling, Virginia, agrees, noting the biggest challenge was ensuring the Cardinal team is fully trained and confident handling the new A2L refrigerant.
“They are classified as mildly flammable — it’s honestly not a major hazard, but they do require more of a careful approach,” Garner says. “Outside of processes, the main challenge is just focusing on educating our guys to make sure that they’re explaining it in a way customers can understand.”
Andrea Skradski, COO and general business manager at Skradski Heating & Cooling in Omaha, Nebraska, explains the primary challenge is the availability of A2L equipment from vendors. “This is essential for initiating the transition when installing for new customers,” she explains.
Training and Preparation
According to Garner, Cardinal took an early approach to preparing for the transition to A2L refrigerants.
“We live right outside of Washington, D.C., so we always have our pulse on what's happening in regard to new rules and regulations,” he says. “We did learn about this early, and we’ve been preparing for this for a while. All of our technicians have gone through and completed extensive hands-on courses. We’ve upgraded all of their tools. We’ve been fine-tuning the installation and service procedures for the new requirements. We have a great relationship with our manufacturers and vendors, so we’ve had them in here nonstop over the past six months, a couple of times a month, every month, just to teach people about what’s coming and make sure they can explain it properly because there are some misconceptions out there.”
C & C Heating & Air Conditioning has also taken advantage of manufacturer training for both service and installation technicians.
“Our field supervisors are also staying up to date on changes and requirements set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make sure we were compliant and prepared for these changes,” Hottle notes.
Skradski Heating & Cooling has purchased all the necessary tools for the new refrigerants and has started training its employees on A2L refrigerants to ensure a smooth transition moving forward, Skradski explains. “Our technicians have completed online courses and attended in-person training sessions conducted by our vendors and suppliers.”
Simple Education is Key
According to Hottle, C & C uses a variety of sources to educate customers, including its website, blog posts, emails, social media, and videos.
“Additionally, we train our staff to effectively communicate these changes, ensuring they can provide clear and accurate information to our customers,” she says.
“Our service technicians and comfort advisors are proactively discussing the upcoming changes with customers during their home visits, we are also trying to share information with our Customers via Social Media and Weekly Newsletters,” Skradski adds.
The key is not to get too technical with the customer, Garner explains.
“We just try to keep it straightforward — homeowners don't need a chemistry lesson,” he says. “They just need to know what it means for them. We're breaking it down in terms of efficiency, long-term costs, and system availability. Those are the key things. If the unit's older, we're making sure that they understand what's coming so they can make an informed decision. We’ve also updated our website — we have tons of literature from our vendors. Honestly, the goal is really to empower the homeowners with that knowledge.”
Rising Costs and Delays
Anytime there is a technology or industry shift, there are going to be upgraded costs for both customers and contractors, Garner explains.
“We’re not immune to it,” Garner says. “We’ve been seeing training, tools, and equipment upgrades all have that additional cost. One of the main things we try to stress to our customers is that some of these new A2L systems might have higher investments, but because of their efficiency, they actually translate into longer-term savings for homeowners. Honestly, we’re more concerned about the tariffs because we haven’t seen the full impact of them yet. We’ve had vendors reaching out and letting us know there may be some increased costs associated, and to pay attention. We’ve known about the actual transition to refrigerant for years, so we prepared early. The tariffs kind of caught us by surprise.”
On top of increased costs, Skradski is experiencing delays with equipment availability.
“Planning for this change and what it can entail is part of growth,” Skradski says. “By identifying which processes and timelines may be impacted, we can make necessary adjustments. Setting clear expectations and working together as a team helps mitigate concerns regarding processes, timelines, and efficiency.”
C & C’s workflow and technician flow have remained unaffected, Hottle notes.
“We consistently communicate with our staff about equipment availability to ensure everyone is well-informed and prepared to serve our customers at the highest level,” she says. “The changeover hasn’t fully impacted us yet. While some individual pieces of equipment haven’t become available, overall stock has remained stable. To stay prepared, we’ve made a conscious effort to keep our sales team informed about equipment availability and have maintained additional stock on hand as a precaution.”
Cardinal has encouraged its employees to take their time when handling A2L systems.
“I want the guys to go nice and slow — slow is smooth and smooth is fast,” Garner says. “Our team has been working on it nonstop, and honestly, I really think we've refined the process to make them as seamless as possible. One of the things we've been doing is the pre-job site evaluation for A2Ls. Typically, we'll have a project manager out there to do all the measurements. Now, we have our team review the Rilla calls to make sure that they understand fully what the project manager was discussing, and then the project manager meets the technician or the installers onsite with that homeowner just to make sure that everybody's on the same page.”
And while Garner notes there have been some supply chain delays, Cardinal has been preparing and planning for this with its vendors for quite some time. The company is well-positioned. “I do see it becoming a problem for some companies,” he adds.
New Opportunity
The transition to A2L refrigerants presents HVAC contractors with new opportunities for business growth. As these lower-GWP refrigerants become the industry standard, contractors who invest in updated training and certifications will position themselves as leaders in the market. This shift opens doors for new installations, retrofits, and service contracts, as customers seek compliant, energy-efficient solutions.
“We take pride in staying ahead of industry trends and government regulations long before they take effect,” Hottle says. “This proactive approach sets us apart from competitors who may be reactive and unprepared, ensuring we provide our customers with the best solutions and seamless transitions.”
Embracing change is crucial for HVAC contractors, Skradski adds. “While everyone is aware of the impending transition, how we utilize this information sets us apart. If you do not plan for the change, you will always be trying to catch up. We are being proactive and will aid in the success as we navigate this transition.”
Garner is excited about the possible opportunities this change represents.
“We’re in a smaller market in Northern Virginia, and HVAC was a secondary trade for us,” he says. “Within the last two years, it’s become the leading department for our company. This transition is really going to give us a chance to lead. We are passionate about communicating and educating customers. We’re kind of geeks about it. We’ve positioned ourselves to be the company you can call if you have any type of question, silly or scary. This is going to be an opportunity for us to step out from everybody else in our market and differentiate ourselves.”
