Skip to content
Module 7 sur 8 90m 10 exam Qs

Regulations & Standards

AIM Act 85% HFC phasedown, EPA SNAP program, state-level regulations, UL 60335-2-40 equipment safety standard, ASHRAE 15 and 34, and building code adoption of A2L provisions.

  • Explain the AIM Act's 85% HFC phasedown schedule and its impact on the HVAC industry
  • Describe the EPA SNAP program's role in approving low-GWP refrigerant alternatives
  • Identify state-level regulations that may be more restrictive than federal rules
  • List the key safety standards governing A2L refrigerant equipment (UL 60335-2-40, ASHRAE 15, ASHRAE 34)

Leçon 1

The AIM Act and HFC Phasedown

The Federal Mandate

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, signed into law in December 2020, gives the EPA authority to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants by 85% from baseline levels by 2036. This is not a ban - it is a graduated reduction in the total quantity of HFCs that can be produced and imported, measured in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) tons.

2020
AIM Act Signed
EPA authority to phase down HFC production established
2022-2023
First Allocation Period
HFC production allowances begin decreasing - 10% reduction
2025
New Equipment Transition
EPA restricts high-GWP HFCs in new residential and light commercial AC
2029
40% Reduction
HFC production at 60% of baseline
2036
85% Phasedown Complete
HFC production limited to 15% of baseline

How the Phasedown Works

The EPA issues production and consumption allowances to companies that produce or import HFCs. Each year, the total allowances decrease according to the phasedown schedule. Companies can trade allowances, but the total pool shrinks over time.

The phasedown is measured in CO2 equivalent, not by refrigerant type. This means a pound of R-410A (GWP 2,088) counts as 2,088 CO2e pounds against the allocation, while a pound of R-454B (GWP 466) counts as only 466. The economic incentive pushes manufacturers toward lower-GWP options.

85%
Total HFC Phasedown by 2036
2,088
R-410A GWP (CO2e Per Pound)
466
R-454B GWP (CO2e Per Pound)
675
R-32 GWP (CO2e Per Pound)

Impact on HVAC Technicians

The AIM Act does not require technicians to stop servicing existing R-410A systems. R-410A remains available for servicing installed equipment. However:

  • R-410A prices will increase as production allowances decrease
  • New equipment will transition to lower-GWP refrigerants (R-454B, R-32)
  • Technician training on A2L refrigerants becomes essential for working on new installations
💡

Servicing Existing R-410A Is Not Going Away

The installed base of R-410A equipment will require service for 15-20 more years. The AIM Act restricts new production, not the use of existing refrigerant for servicing. However, as R-410A becomes more expensive, recovering and recycling existing refrigerant becomes increasingly valuable.

Key Takeaway

The AIM Act mandates an 85% reduction in HFC production by 2036, measured in CO2 equivalent. R-410A (GWP 2,088) counts against the allocation at over four times the rate of R-454B (GWP 466), creating a strong economic push toward low-GWP alternatives. R-410A remains available for servicing existing equipment but will become progressively more expensive.
Précédent Module suivant :