CCPIA News - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

Episode #3 — July 17, 2025:

The R-410A phaseout is here. Know what’s coming. That’s Staying Smart in CRE.

Hear how the R-410A phaseout is reshaping commercial HVAC systems and what it means for property inspections, with your host Lance Coffman, CCPIA® Director of Development & Training.

Starting January 2025, new residential and light commercial HVAC systems using R-410A can no longer be manufactured or imported in the U.S. Just like with R-22, prices are climbing and supply will eventually fade. This episode covers the move to A2L refrigerants, what makes them different, and how inspectors can document the right details to guide clients through smart HVAC decisions.

Commercial property inspectors will learn about reading data plates, checking equipment age, and planning ahead with clients before repair costs explode.

Highlights:

  • R-410A manufacturing stopped January 1, 2025
  • Repair costs following R-22’s path
  • New A2L refrigerants require complete system replacement, not retrofits
  • Document refrigerant type on every data plate during inspections
  • Equipment over 10 years old faces immediate replacement decisions
  • Frame findings as capital planning, not emergencies
  • Maintenance history reveals leak-prone systems worth replacing
  • Local codes for A2L safety vary
  • Biggest HVAC shift in 20 years requires proactive client education

Key Terms for Inspectors and CRE Professionals:

  • R‑410A: A commonly used refrigerant in HVAC systems, being phased out due to its high global warming potential.
  • A2L Refrigerants: Mildly flammable, low-GWP refrigerants like R‑454B and R‑32 that are replacing R‑410A.
  • Global Warming Potential (GWP): A scale that measures how much heat a refrigerant traps in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide.
  • VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow): A high-efficiency HVAC system that provides zoned temperature control by varying refrigerant flow.
  • Inverter Compressor: A type of compressor that adjusts speed based on demand, improving energy efficiency and reducing wear.
  • Heat Recovery: A feature in VRF systems that allows simultaneous heating and cooling in different zones using redirected thermal energy.
  • EPA AIM Act: U.S. legislation that mandates the phase-down of high-GWP refrigerants like R‑410A to address climate change.
  • Retrofit Compatibility: The ability of existing HVAC equipment to be modified to use newer refrigerants without full replacement.
  • Charge Sensitivity: The degree to which an HVAC system’s performance depends on an accurate refrigerant charge amount.
  • Flammability Rating: A classification that indicates the ignition risk of refrigerants (i.e., A1 = non-flammable, A2L = mildly flammable).

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