EPA eases up on HVAC install deadline

The EPA has provided the HVAC industry with some relief, announcing that it’s deprioritizing the enforcement of a key install deadline as the new year kicks off. 

Catch up quick: As of January 1, under current rules, contractors are prohibited from installing many residential and light commercial R-410A systems. While the EPA has proposed a rule that would allow such systems to be installed indefinitely, nothing has been made official, and the deadline technically remains in effect.

• What’s happening: “Enforcement of the current deadlines… is a low enforcement priority for the Agency,” the EPA wrote in a formal statement issued over the holidays. “EPA intends to focus its resources on compliance with the new compliance dates that will be established by [pending] rulemaking.”

What they’re saying: Asked for clarification, an EPA spokesperson didn’t specify what “low enforcement priority” means in practice, instead telling Homepros that the agency will focus on finalizing its proposed rule (including eliminating the January 1 deadline), which would “provide flexibility for sectors that need additional time to transition.”

• Of note: The agency’s announcement does not affect New York State, where the deadline will remain in effect, as a state regulation “provides a backstop” to federal changes.

The big picture: While the A2L transition is effectively complete, stranded R-410A inventory could exceed $500 million in total value, according to industry estimates. 

Looking ahead: Given the federal rulemaking process, the EPA’s proposed rule will likely take several months to finalize.