Low-GWP Refrigerant Transition Maintenance Guide

Yes. The AIM Act restriction applies to new equipment entering manufacture or operation — existing R-410A systems may remain in service and be repaired for as long as they operate. However, the production and import of R-410A is being phased down under the HFC allocation programme, meaning refrigerant availability will tighten progressively through 2036. HVAC teams with large legacy fleets should track R-410A charge levels and leak rates per unit in OxMaint to prioritise which systems present the highest refrigerant cost risk as availability tightens. Sign up free to begin tracking refrigerant by asset.

EPA Section 608 requires HVAC technicians and contractors to maintain records of refrigerant purchases, sales, and recovery for each appliance serviced. For systems with a refrigerant charge of 50 pounds or more, records of the quantity of refrigerant added during each service visit must be maintained. Leak inspection records are required when a system exceeds the applicable leak rate threshold. OxMaint records all of these data points automatically from technician work order completion — date, unit ID, refrigerant type and quantity, technician ID, and action taken — and generates the EPA-structured report on demand. Book a demo to see the compliance report format.

A2L refrigerants require tools rated for mild flammability — standard A1-class manifold gauges, recovery machines, and leak detectors are not approved for A2L service. Best practice is to maintain separate A2L-rated tool kits and track which technicians are assigned to A2L-equipped systems. OxMaint task cards for A2L assets include a mandatory tool rating verification step — technicians confirm A2L-rated equipment before the work order can proceed. This prevents accidental use of A1-class tools on A2L systems and creates an audit trail confirming correct tooling was used at each service visit.

The most efficient approach is bulk asset import into OxMaint using a CSV upload that maps unit ID, location, refrigerant type, charge quantity, installation year, and service history. Existing maintenance records, equipment schedules, or nameplate data can be structured into the import template. Once the register is established, OxMaint applies the correct task template, leak log format, and compliance reporting rules automatically per refrigerant type — so R-410A legacy systems and A2L new equipment receive different workflows without manual configuration for each unit. Start free to begin building your refrigerant asset register.