ACCA urges EPA to scrap VRF install deadline

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Biden set deadlines prohibiting the installation of certain residential and light commercial R-410A systems after January 1, 2026 — and VRF systems after January 1, 2027.

What’s happening: The EPA under President Trump in late September proposed eliminating the January 1, 2026, deadline, allowing many R-410A systems to be installed indefinitely. However, VRF systems were left out of its proposal and still face a January 1, 2027, install deadline. 

• Contractor association ACCA is urging the EPA to eliminate the deadline for VRF equipment, also allowing it to be installed indefinitely.

What they’re saying: “Spring and summer months saw significant R-454B shortages, price spikes, and stockpiling,” ACCA writes in a blog post. “Removing the installation deadline gives the market breathing room without forcing contractors and consumers to discard functional equipment.”

• Nixing “arbitrary installation deadlines across all equipment sectors offers important benefits,” it adds, including preventing functioning systems from being discarded at fire-sale prices and letting contractors manage inventory based on “actual” supply and demand.

Asked for comment, an EPA representative indicated that any feedback regarding the proposal should be submitted online by Nov. 21. Go deeper