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R-22 is already banned. R-410A is phasing out under the EPA AIM Act. Every new heat pump sold in Pennsylvania now uses R-32 or R-454B — and PA's low electric rates make these new systems especially cost-effective.
Last updated March 2026
2026 Update: The federal 25C heat pump tax credit expired December 31, 2025. There is no federal tax credit for heat pumps in 2026. PA Act 129 utility rebates (PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light) remain available. Current PA heat pump rebates
Pennsylvania homeowners are affected by two separate refrigerant bans. R-22 (Freon) is already gone. R-410A (Puron) is on the way out. Here is the complete timeline.
R-22 production and import banned
BannedEPA AIM Act phase-down begins — 40% HFC reduction mandate
Phase-downNew equipment must use low-GWP refrigerants (R-32 or R-454B)
RequiredEPA targets 85% HFC reduction — R-410A increasingly scarce
ScarceProduction and import banned since January 1, 2020
Only reclaimed R-22 available — prices $100-200+ per pound
Depletes the ozone layer AND has GWP of 1,810
If your system uses R-22, replacement is strongly recommended
EPA AIM Act mandates 40% HFC reduction by 2028, 85% by 2036
New equipment from major brands already uses R-32 or R-454B
Existing R-410A systems can continue operating — no rush
R-410A supply and service will remain available for years
Bottom line: If you are buying a new heat pump or AC in 2026, it will use R-32 or R-454B. If you have a working R-410A system, no action needed. If you still have R-22, seriously consider replacing it now.
From the ozone-depleting R-22 to the next-gen R-454B, here is how every refrigerant you will encounter in Pennsylvania stacks up.
GWP
1,810
Very High
Safety
A1 (Non-flammable)
Status
Banned since 2020
Ozone Impact
Yes — depletes ozone layer
GWP
2,088
Very High
Safety
A1 (Non-flammable)
Status
Phasing out under EPA AIM Act
Ozone Impact
No — ozone safe
GWP
675
Medium
Safety
A2L (Mildly flammable)
Status
Current standard — approved
Ozone Impact
No — ozone safe
Brands
Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, LG, Daikin
GWP
466
Low
Safety
A2L (Mildly flammable)
Status
Current standard — approved
Ozone Impact
No — ozone safe
Brands
Carrier, Lennox, Trane, Bosch
Higher energy efficiency in many applications
Lower refrigerant charge needed per system
Dominant in ductless mini-split systems
Proven global track record since 2013
Lower GWP (466 vs 675) — better for climate
Near drop-in replacement for R-410A systems
Dominant in ducted central heat pump systems
Lower operating pressure reduces component stress
Pennsylvania's Act 129 requires electric utilities to run energy efficiency programs. All three major utilities offer rebates on qualifying heat pump installations — helping offset the cost of upgrading from R-22 or aging R-410A systems.
Program
Act 129 Energy Efficiency
Heat Pump Rebate
Up to $500 for qualifying heat pump installations
Electric Rate
$0.18/kWh
Service Area
~1.6 million customers
Program
Act 129 Energy Efficiency
Heat Pump Rebate
Up to $400 for qualifying heat pump installations
Electric Rate
$0.17/kWh
Service Area
~1.4 million customers
Program
Act 129 Energy Efficiency
Heat Pump Rebate
Up to $500 for qualifying heat pump installations
Electric Rate
$0.19/kWh
Service Area
~600,000 customers
PA's electric rate advantage: At $0.18-0.20/kWh, Pennsylvania has some of the lowest electric rates in the Northeast. This means heat pumps using new R-32 or R-454B refrigerants cost significantly less to operate than in New England states ($0.27-0.32/kWh). Combined with higher efficiency ratings on newer refrigerant systems, PA homeowners see faster payback on heat pump investments.
Here are the most popular heat pump models available in Pennsylvania in 2026 and the refrigerant each uses. Pennsylvania spans climate zones 5 and 6, so cold-climate ratings matter for northern PA.
| Brand | Model | Refrigerant | Type | Cold Climate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi | Hyper-Heat (H2i) | R-32 | Ductless / Ducted Mini-Split | |
| Fujitsu | XLTH Series | R-32 | Ductless Mini-Split | |
| LG | Red Series | R-32 | Ductless / Multi-Zone | |
| Daikin | FIT / Altherma | R-32 | Ducted / Air-to-Water | |
| Carrier | Greenspeed | R-454B | Ducted Central | |
| Bosch | IDS 2.0 | R-454B | Ducted Central | |
| Lennox | XP25 | R-454B | Ducted Central | Standard |
| Trane | XV20i | R-454B | Ducted Central | Standard |
Hyper-Heat (H2i)
Ductless / Ducted Mini-Split
XLTH Series
Ductless Mini-Split
Red Series
Ductless / Multi-Zone
FIT / Altherma
Ducted / Air-to-Water
Greenspeed
Ducted Central
IDS 2.0
Ducted Central
XP25
Ducted Central
XV20i
Ducted Central
PA climate note: Philadelphia and southeast PA (Zone 5) can use standard or cold-climate models. The Poconos, State College, and northern PA (Zone 6) benefit from cold-climate rated units that maintain heating capacity down to -13°F.
The refrigerant transition does not significantly change what you pay. Here is the reality for each cost category in Pennsylvania.
No significant change
R-32 and R-454B models priced similarly to former R-410A models
Newer models have higher SEER2/HSPF2 ratings — better value per dollar
PA Act 129 rebates ($400-500) apply to both refrigerant types
Minimal change
Technicians need A2L certification — widely available in PA
Installation process is nearly identical to R-410A systems
Same labor time with slightly different brazing procedures
Lower in PA
PA rates of $0.18-0.20/kWh — 30-40% less than New England
Higher efficiency of new refrigerant systems compounds savings
Typical PA home saves $200-400/year vs gas furnace with heat pump
Both R-32 and R-454B are classified as A2L, which means "mildly flammable." This sounds concerning but is well understood and managed.
Requires a high-energy ignition source — cannot ignite from a match
Flame propagation is extremely slow compared to flammable gases
Concentration must reach a specific threshold before any risk exists
Normal residential use never approaches flammable concentrations
Less flammable than propane (used in millions of grills)
Refrigerant leak detection sensors in every indoor unit
Automatic shutoff valves that close if a leak is detected
Self-diagnostic systems that alert homeowners and technicians
Ventilation controls that activate automatically during a leak event
UL-certified safety testing exceeds residential use requirements
No special requirements for homeowners. You do not need additional ventilation, detectors, or modifications to your home. The safety features are built into the equipment. Millions of homes in Japan, Europe, and Australia have used A2L refrigerant systems for over a decade with an excellent safety record.
Check Your System
Look at the label on your outdoor unit. If it says R-22, HCFC-22, or Freon, your system uses the banned refrigerant.
Plan Replacement
R-22 recharges now cost $100-200+ per pound. Frequent recharges make replacement the smarter financial choice.
Upgrade to R-32/R-454B
A modern heat pump will cut your heating and cooling costs while using environmentally safe refrigerant. PA utility rebates help offset costs.
No Rush
Your R-410A system works fine. Continue using it normally for its full 15-20 year lifespan.
Service As Needed
R-410A refrigerant remains available for recharges and repairs. Your HVAC tech can service it normally.
Plan Ahead
When replacement time comes, your new system will use R-32 or R-454B. R-410A recharge costs may rise as supply decreases.
Watch for rising R-410A costs: As production decreases under the EPA AIM Act, R-410A refrigerant prices will rise. If your system frequently needs recharges (indicating a leak), it may make financial sense to replace sooner rather than paying for increasingly expensive top-ups.
R-410A is not outright banned yet, but it is being phased out under the federal EPA AIM Act. New heat pump and AC models from all major manufacturers now ship with R-32 or R-454B refrigerant. By 2025-2026, virtually all new residential equipment uses the newer refrigerants. Your existing R-410A system can continue operating and be serviced normally.
R-22 production and import was banned in 2020. Reclaimed R-22 is still available for servicing, but prices have skyrocketed — often $100-200 per pound or more. If your system uses R-22 and needs a recharge, it is usually more cost-effective to replace the entire system with a modern heat pump using R-32 or R-454B.
Yes. Both R-32 and R-454B carry an A2L safety classification, meaning they are mildly flammable only under very specific conditions. Modern heat pumps using these refrigerants have built-in safety features including leak detection sensors, automatic shutoff valves, and ventilation controls. Millions of homes worldwide already use A2L refrigerant systems safely.
Pennsylvania Act 129 requires electric utilities to offer energy efficiency programs. PECO offers up to $500, PPL Electric offers up to $400, and Duquesne Light offers up to $500 for qualifying heat pump installations. These rebates apply regardless of which new refrigerant (R-32 or R-454B) the system uses. Contact your utility or check their website for current rebate amounts.
Equipment pricing for R-32 and R-454B models is comparable to what R-410A models cost. In many cases, the higher efficiency of newer models actually saves money through lower electric bills — especially in Pennsylvania where electric rates of $0.18-0.20/kWh make heat pumps very economical to operate compared to natural gas or oil.
GWP stands for Global Warming Potential, a measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps relative to CO2 over 100 years. R-22 has a GWP of 1,810 and also depletes the ozone layer. R-410A has a GWP of 2,088. R-32 at 675 and R-454B at 466 are dramatically better for the climate. The EPA AIM Act mandates this transition nationwide.
No. Your existing R-410A heat pump is fine for the rest of its useful life, typically 15 to 20 years. R-410A refrigerant will remain available for servicing and repairs. When your system eventually needs replacement, the new unit will use R-32 or R-454B.
Neither is definitively better. R-454B has a lower GWP (466 vs 675), while R-32 systems tend to use less refrigerant charge per unit. Both meet EPA AIM Act requirements. Ductless mini-splits tend to use R-32, while ducted central systems tend to use R-454B. The choice depends on which system type fits your home.
The federal 25C energy efficiency tax credit expired on December 31, 2025. There is no federal tax credit available for heat pumps purchased in 2026, regardless of which refrigerant they use. Focus on PA Act 129 utility rebates for financial incentives.
Pennsylvania has some of the lowest electric rates in the Northeast at $0.18-0.20 per kWh — compared to $0.27-0.32 in New England states. Lower electricity costs mean heat pumps are cheaper to operate, making the economics of switching from gas or oil heating more favorable. The combination of low rates and new high-efficiency R-32/R-454B systems makes PA an excellent market for heat pumps.
Every heat pump we install in 2026 uses R-32 or R-454B. We handle PA Act 129 rebate paperwork, ensure proper A2L installation, and recommend the right system for your climate zone.
Complete pricing breakdown for heat pump installation in Pennsylvania by system type and utility territory.
Read morePECO, PPL, and Duquesne Light Act 129 rebates and other incentives for PA homeowners.
Read moreWhich heat pump configuration works best for your PA home? Comparison guide with cost analysis.
Read moreSide-by-side cost comparison for PA — where low electric rates give heat pumps an edge.
Read moreRefrigerant data: EPA AIM Act final rule, ASHRAE 34 safety classifications.
Pennsylvania Act 129: Phase IV energy efficiency programs (PECO, PPL Electric, Duquesne Light).
GWP values: IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) 100-year values.
Equipment models: Manufacturer specification sheets, January-March 2026.
PA electric rates: EIA state electricity data, Q4 2025.