The HFC phasedown started this year with a 10% production cut, which is starting to affect the price of refrigerants such as R-410A. When the additional 30% cut comes in 2024, expect prices to rise even more, and availability of virgin refrigerant may become more of an issue. The production cuts are part of the federal AIM Act and are meant to encourage a safe and speedy transition to lower-GWP refrigerants, several of which are mildly flammable (A2L).
The problem is that most building codes do not allow the installation of comfort cooling equipment containing A2L refrigerants. The 2024 international building code update will likely include the use of these mildly flammable refrigerants, but some states are not waiting. Instead, many are updating their state codes to allow the use of A2L refrigerants in air conditioners and heat pumps, with Florida, Oregon, North Carolina, and Washington leading the way. In those four states, it is already possible to buy and install equipment containing this alternative refrigerant.