It began with a complete production phase out of ozone-depleting substances, primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) like R-11 and R-12. Then, the transitional hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), like R-22, were phased out.

For 2023, the story feels familiar: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is phasing down the greenhouse gas refrigerant hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), moving manufacturers to use refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP) instead. Starting next year, HFC production will be cut by 40% and the transition to A2L in manufacturing will be nearly complete.

The move is undoubtedly a boon for the environment, as it will contribute to avoiding a 2°C temperature increase by the end of the century, along with the potential increase in wildfires, floods, and drought that are believed by many to come with climate change.

However, the transition leaves the HVAC industry dancing along an awkward line between demand for old products and expectation for new ones. Will repairing an air conditioner lead to a struggle to find refrigerant for it down the line? Does the refrigerant change make it a fiscally smarter decision for your customer to simply upgrade units?

Those are the scenarios customers are relying on you to unpack for them. But first, you’ll need to unpack them for yourself. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. You’ll need to consider your market demand and consumer demographics. Are your customers quick to replace, or do they want to keep their units as long as possible? Are green initiatives important to them?

In addition, there’s education that needs to happen for dealers and technicians alike. The move from HFCs to A2Ls is bringing us from a nonflammable refrigerant to a mildly flammable one. From storage to application, it’s critical to understand proper handling techniques of A2Ls.

Here are six steps HVAC dealers can take to transition smoothly to A2L in the coming year:

1) Establish a strategy — Do you want to recommend A2L unit upgrades immediately or take a more conservative approach? Be sure to have a consistent plan and be able to explain to customers why you are approaching the issue this way. There is opportunity to offer preventive maintenance programs here.

2) Talk to your suppliers — Find out when they intend to have the new refrigerant available and how long they expect HFC to remain in stock — and at its regular price.

3) Make training a priority — As you enter the shoulder season, take advantage of this natural lull to host technician training sessions about the new refrigerant. Undoubtedly, this new solution will come with extra safety concerns, so it’s key that technicians are familiar with guidelines for storage, transportation, testing, and installation.

4) Plan ahead — The reality is that you will encounter a world where HFCs aren’t as readily available. Forecast your needs to adequately prepare for that.

5) Talk. And then talk some more — The best way to make sure your distributor has what you need is by being transparent. Tell them what you’re hearing from technicians and customers. Then, they can communicate with the manufacturer to ensure the refrigerant you need is available. You are a very key link in the supply chain between manufacturers and consumers when it comes to refrigerants.

6) Educate your customers — The average homeowner doesn’t know one refrigerant from another. Give your technicians talking points that explain this changeover in easy-to-understand terms. Then, empower them to help customers find the solution that’s best for them. They should understand both the environmental benefits of A2L refrigerant and the very real concern of accessibility for HFC.

With a focus on education, strategic planning, and communication, the HVAC industry is positioned to take on this refrigerant change once again. There undoubtedly will be challenges to overcome along the way, but we’ll be stronger — and greener — for our efforts.