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The refrigerant inside your heat pump just became the most important spec on the data sheet. Here’s why R-410A is out, what replaced it, and how it affects your purchase.
Last updated: February 2026
R-410A is banned from NHSaves. Any new heat pump you install in New Hampshire must use R-32 or R-454B refrigerant to qualify for NHSaves rebates. Already have R-410A? Your existing system is fine — this only applies to new installations.
R-410A has a global warming potential (GWP) of 2,088. That means one pound of R-410A leaking into the atmosphere has the same climate impact as 2,088 pounds of CO2. For context, a typical residential heat pump contains 5–15 pounds of refrigerant.
The EPA’s AIM Act established a phasedown schedule to reduce HFC use by 85% by 2036. New Hampshire’s NHSaves program aligned with these federal requirements by removing R-410A equipment from its qualified products list in 2026. Equipment using R-410A simply no longer qualifies for any NHSaves rebate.
The replacements — R-32 (GWP 675) and R-454B (GWP 466) — reduce the climate impact by 68–78% while delivering the same or better heating and cooling performance.
Three refrigerants, one clear direction: low-GWP is the new standard for NHSaves-qualified equipment.
Brands
The previous industry standard. Equipment using R-410A no longer qualifies for any NHSaves heat pump rebate as of 2026. Still legal to service existing systems.
68% lower than R-410A
Brands
The most popular low-GWP refrigerant for ductless mini-split systems. 68% lower global warming potential than R-410A. Dominant in the ductless market.
78% lower than R-410A
Brands
The leading low-GWP refrigerant for ducted heat pump systems. 78% lower global warming potential than R-410A. The most common choice for central ducted installations.
Both refrigerants are NHSaves-approved. Your choice depends on the type of system you are installing.
| Specification | R-32 | R-454B |
|---|---|---|
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) | 675 | 466 |
| GWP Reduction vs R-410A | 68% | 78% |
| ASHRAE Safety Class | A2L | A2L |
| Flammability | Mildly flammable | Mildly flammable |
| Primary Application | Ductless mini-splits | Ducted central systems |
| Top Brands | Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, LG, Daikin | Carrier, Lennox, Trane, Bosch |
| NHSaves Qualified | Yes | Yes |
| Price Impact vs R-410A | Minimal | Minimal |
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
675
466
GWP Reduction vs R-410A
68%
78%
ASHRAE Safety Class
A2L
A2L
Flammability
Mildly flammable
Mildly flammable
Primary Application
Ductless mini-splits
Ducted central systems
Top Brands
Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, LG, Daikin
Carrier, Lennox, Trane, Bosch
NHSaves Qualified
Yes
Yes
Price Impact vs R-410A
Minimal
Minimal
All models listed below use NHSaves-approved refrigerants and qualify for 2026 rebates.
| Brand | Model | Refrigerant | System Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi | Hyper-Heat | R-32 | Ductless |
| Fujitsu | Halcyon XLTH | R-32 | Ductless |
| LG | Red Series | R-32 | Ductless |
| Daikin | FIT | R-32 | Ductless / Ducted |
| Carrier | Greenspeed | R-454B | Ducted |
| Bosch | IDS 2.0 | R-454B | Ducted |
Hyper-Heat — Ductless
Halcyon XLTH — Ductless
Red Series — Ductless
FIT — Ductless / Ducted
Greenspeed — Ducted
IDS 2.0 — Ducted
Good news: the refrigerant transition has not increased equipment costs for homeowners. R-32 and R-454B heat pumps are priced similarly to the R-410A models they replaced.
Your existing R-410A heat pump is not affected. You do not need to replace it.
The NHSaves restriction applies only to new equipment purchases. If you currently have a heat pump running on R-410A, it can continue operating for its full lifespan.
HVAC technicians can still add R-410A refrigerant to existing systems, perform repairs, and maintain your equipment normally.
There is no requirement or deadline to replace a working R-410A system. Enjoy your current equipment for its full useful life.
R-410A refrigerant remains available for servicing existing systems. Supply is being managed through the EPA phasedown, but service quantities are maintained.
When your R-410A system eventually reaches end of life, its replacement will use R-32 or R-454B and qualify for NHSaves rebates at that time.
Both R-32 and R-454B carry an A2L safety rating. Here is what that means for homeowners and why it is not a concern.
A2L is an ASHRAE safety classification meaning "lower flammability." These refrigerants require a specific ignition source and concentration to ignite — conditions that do not occur during normal residential use.
Residential heat pump systems use refrigerant charge amounts well within the safe limits defined by UL 60335-2-40. Equipment is designed so that even a full leak would not create a flammable concentration in a typical room.
R-32 has been the standard residential refrigerant in Japan since 2013 and across Europe since 2015. Hundreds of millions of units are installed worldwide with no reported flammability incidents in residential settings.
All NuWatt technicians hold EPA Section 608 certification and have completed manufacturer-specific A2L safety training. Installation follows updated ASHRAE 15.2 and local building code requirements.
R-410A is not illegal to use or service, but new equipment using R-410A no longer qualifies for NHSaves heat pump rebates as of 2026. If you want to receive any NHSaves incentive, your new system must use R-32 or R-454B refrigerant.
No. Existing R-410A systems can continue operating and be serviced normally. The NHSaves restriction only applies to new equipment purchases. Your current system is not affected.
Yes. R-32 has an ASHRAE A2L safety classification, meaning it is mildly flammable under very specific conditions. The charge amounts used in residential heat pumps are well within safe limits. R-32 has been widely used in Japan and Europe for over a decade with an excellent safety record.
Both are low-GWP replacements for R-410A and both qualify for NHSaves rebates. R-32 (GWP 675) is used primarily in ductless mini-splits by Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, LG, and Daikin. R-454B (GWP 466) is used in ducted central systems by Carrier, Lennox, Trane, and Bosch. Your choice depends on whether you are installing ductless or ducted equipment.
No. Equipment using R-32 and R-454B is priced similarly to previous R-410A models. Manufacturers have been transitioning their production lines, and the new refrigerant systems do not carry a price premium for consumers.
Both R-32 and R-454B perform well in cold climates. Cold-climate performance depends on the heat pump model and compressor technology, not the refrigerant. Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat (R-32) and Bosch IDS 2.0 (R-454B) both operate efficiently down to -13 degrees F.
NHSaves offers $250 per ton for standard installations and up to $1,250 per ton for enhanced tier systems. Only equipment using approved low-GWP refrigerants (R-32 or R-454B) qualifies for these rebates in 2026.
Yes. HVAC technicians in New Hampshire are trained and certified to work with A2L refrigerants including R-32 and R-454B. Service procedures are similar to R-410A with minor additional safety protocols for the A2L classification.
R-410A has a global warming potential of 2,088 — meaning one pound of R-410A has the same climate impact as 2,088 pounds of CO2. NHSaves aligned with EPA AIM Act regulations and state climate goals by requiring low-GWP alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 68-78%.
No. R-32 and R-454B systems achieve the same or better SEER2 and HSPF2 efficiency ratings as their R-410A predecessors. In some cases, the thermodynamic properties of R-32 allow for slightly higher efficiency.
$250/ton standard, $1,250/ton enhanced. Full eligibility requirements.
Total installed costs by system type. Net cost after NHSaves rebates.
Performance data at -15 degrees F. DOE testing results for NH winters.
Certifications to look for, questions to ask, and red flags to avoid.
NuWatt installs NHSaves-qualified R-32 and R-454B heat pumps throughout New Hampshire. Get a free estimate and see your rebate amount.