A2L Refrigerant Transition: Why It's Happening and What You Need to Know

Refrigerant usage is integral to the functionality of modern society. Besides keeping our homes, vehicles, and workplaces cool against the summer heat, they are needed for the safe storage, preparation and transport of numerous perishable products. Unfortunately, many types of refrigerants are harmful to the Earth’s ozone layer and are being phased out in favor of less damaging alternatives. 

In 2025, we are reaching the final stages of the Environmental Protection Agency’s long-standing plan to phase out the use of Class II ozone-depleting substances. This includes the refrigerants we use on a day-to-day basis for our commercial walk-in and reach-in coolers but don’t worry! This isn’t the first refrigerant phase out we’ve dealt with. The refrigerant R-22 was phased out of use in 2010. While this is something we’ve dealt with in the past, things are a little different this time so here’s what you need to know:

What are A2L Refrigerants?

Refrigerants are classified by both toxicity and flammability. Class A refrigerants are low toxicity while Class B refrigerants are considered toxic. Flammability is rated as either 1 (non flammable), 2 (lower flammability) or 3 (higher flammability). 

The 2L rating was added to more accurately categorize refrigerants that are still mildly flammable but are less so than other refrigerants rated as a 2. So A2L refrigerants have low toxicity and low flammability but are still not considered “non-flammable”. 

Are Flammable Refrigerants Dangerous?

Keep in mind that even A1 refrigerants can combust under the right circumstances. An external fire that spreads to a leaking AC system using A1 refrigerant may very well ignite. A2L refrigerants can ignite when exposed to direct flames or hot wires, so care must be taken by installation technicians when installing and repairing new A2L equipment. Systems using A2L refrigerants will be constructed to reduce any possible ignition source from wires, contactors and relays. Static sparks will not cause ignition in leaking A2L systems. 

Why are A2L Refrigerants Used Instead of A1 Options?

The A1 refrigerant options we have available unfortunately have a high Global Warming Potential. This is what the EPA is most concerned with. The GWP of the available A2L refrigerants is anywhere from 55-80% lower than the old refrigerants we had been using across the HVAC industry. The goal of this refrigerant change is to reduce the environmental impact of refrigeration systems while maintaining adequate cooling capacity for our refrigeration systems. The new A2L refrigerants will allow us to reach this goal and have very similar properties to many of the A1 refrigerants we have been using, just with a lower GWP. 

Can Old Systems Still Be Repaired?

Yes. We will still be able to repair your current walk-in coolers and ice makers, even if they have a coolant leak. Refrigerant production for these systems will slowly reduce and eventually it will become unavailable but that will take several years. When it comes time to replace your system, we will upgrade to equipment with the new A2L refrigerant.  

What We Want Our Customers to Know

While A2L refrigerants are classified as low flammability, they are still safe to use in your commercial cooling equipment. All of our technicians have received the necessary training to safely handle this classification of refrigerant during new installations and equipment services. 

If you’re thinking about a new install this year, prepackaged systems with the old refrigerant are still available to be sold and installed but we recommend against it. As part of the phase-out plan, production of the old refrigerant will reduce year by year, which means it will become less available and increasingly expensive over time. We saw this happen with the R-22 phase out in 2010. Repairs for these systems will be more expensive as the phase out process continues and it may mean you wind up replacing the system prematurely when the old refrigerant becomes scarce. Existing systems are likely to reach their lifespan before this happens but keep in mind that a brand new walk-in could last 15-20 years and the old refrigerant will be well out of production by then. 

The new A2L refrigerant we are using has similar pressures and properties to types of refrigerant we have been handling for many years, so while this all sounds like a huge change in the industry, it isn’t anything to worry about but we do like to keep our customers informed of the many changes and technological advancements heading our way. 

If you have more questions about the refrigerant change, don’t hesitate to reach out! We are always available to answer questions. 512-651-4565 or email info@tripointref.com