HVAC's newest Refrigerants

June 8, 2026

New refrigerant requirements from EPA mandates aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are shaking up the HVAC industry. These requirements are causing a shift from R-410A refrigerant to A2L refrigerants R-454B and R-32. A2L refrigerants are low in toxicity and flammability. The shift is based around a metric called GWP, standing for Global Warming Potential, which measures how much heat a gas traps in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide. R-410A has a GWP of around 2,088, which means that 1 pound of R-410A released into the atmosphere has the same warming effect of 2,088 pounds of CO2. 

The primary replacement for R-410A currently is R-454B, which has a GWP of around 466, which is 78% lower than the old refrigerant. It offers similar performance characteristics as R-410A, which makes it a valid choice to transition to. The other popular replacement is R-32, which yields higher energy efficiency at a GWP of 675. Both R-454B and R-32 are very similar, with a practical difference in GWP. Most manufacturers are choosing R-454B because regulations are tightening over time, which gives R-454B more time before it faces new regulatory restrictions.


These refrigerants are not drop-in replacements, and need specialized new coils engineered specifically around them. Because coils and heat exchangers are engineered for specific refrigerant properties, manufacturers are having to redesign their systems around these new refrigerants. These changes may shift aspects such as efficiency targets and pressure drops, as well as coil circuitry. In addition, the demand for coils is increasing and pushing HVAC prices up. When replacing the refrigerant in already existing projects, custom coil solutions are needed to match old equipment with the new requirements. 

This change also brings about new installation procedures for contractors to learn, and training for technicians on A2L refrigerants. Because old and new equipment in certain projects cannot be used jointly, this makes inventory management more complicated as well.


HeatEX Technologies is in a terrific position to handle this change, offering specialized coils that can be used in adapting to R-454B and R-32 refrigerants. As the industry adapts to this transition, the need for engineered heat transfer solutions grows larger and larger. HeatEX Technologies helps support new equipment designs and retrofit applications by providing custom coil solutions designed to meet these new refrigerant requirements while maintaining system performance and reliability. We are able to do this by running performance on the spec’d coil in order to ensure that it meets the requirements of the system regardless of what refrigerant is being used.


To learn more about the EPA SNAP program, please visit the following website: Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program | US EPA

Works Cited


“What Is R-410A Being Replaced With? R-454B and R-32 Explained.” Science Insights, Science Insights, https://scienceinsights.org/what-is-r-410a-being-replaced-with-r-454b-r-32/. Accessed 8 June 2026.


“Important Changes Coming to Air Conditioning Refrigerants.” Air Flow Designs, Air Flow Designs, https://www.airflowdesigns.com/blog/important-changes-coming-air-conditioning-refrigerants/. Accessed 8 June 2026.

How to Read and Understand a Commercial HVAC Coil Schedule

By Colby Maun • September 8, 2026
A coil schedule is a table included with mechanical drawings and specifications that summarizes the performance requirements and physical characteristics of the HVAC coils within the building. It comes with almost every type of coil and is an incredibly crucial piece within replacement projects. Understanding how to read it can drastically speed up your replacement process and reduce downtime in your next replacement project. Because of this importance, here is a comprehensive guide on how to read and understand a commercial HVAC coil schedule. One of the most important parts of a coil schedule is the coil identification section. It acts as the starting point for identifying the specifics of the coil you’re replacing in a replacement job. This section gives information on the coil tag, equipment tag, location of the coil, type, and designation. The coil tag, especially, is key because it often provides you with the model and serial number. Each of these parts is essential information to identify the coil, and when given this information, HeatEX Technologies can often provide you with a quote without having to come out and measure the coil. This saves a ton of time on both ends when getting you your replacement coil.

Common HVAC Coil Installation Mistakes and Their Effect on Your System

By Colby Maun • August 31, 2026
In a commercial HVAC coil replacement project, installation is a key factor that impacts both the performance and lifespan of the coil. A coil can be manufactured and selected perfectly for your replacement job, but if the installation is poor, your coil will experience lower performance and possibly a reduced lifespan. Because of this, making sure that installation goes as smoothly as possible is crucial for your system. To assist you with your next coil installation, here are some common commercial HVAC coil installation mistakes and how they affect your system in the long run. One of the most common mistakes that technicians can make in a coil replacement project is installing the coil in the wrong orientation. Coils are manufactured to operate in a particular orientation, and if they aren’t installed in that specific orientation, heat transfer efficiency and capacity are reduced. Installing a coil in the wrong orientation also affects airflow, since installing a coil in the wrong direction can force air in the wrong direction. Both of these complications negatively affect performance and lifespan in your system.

What is Circuiting and How Does it Effect a Coil?

By Colby Maun • August 24, 2026
In a commercial HVAC custom coil replacement job, circuiting is often undervalued, yet so crucial to effective operation in any coil. But what really is circuiting, and how does it affect your coil? Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about circuiting for your next replacement job.

Why Coil Replacement Jobs Get Delayed, and How to Prevent Them

By Colby Maun • August 17, 2026
Delays in a commercial HVAC coil replacement project are one of the most frustrating things that a facility manager or contractor can face. A failed coil already creates problems such as comfort issues, downtime, and pressure from building owners, so making sure that your coil replacement project goes smoothly and without delay is crucial. To assist you with your next coil replacement job, here are some common causes of commercial HVAC coil replacement project delays and how you can prevent them in your job.

Chilled Water vs. Hot Water Coils: What's the Difference?

By Colby Maun • August 11, 2026
Commercial chilled-water and hot-water HVAC coils appear almost identical on the outside; however, they are more different than most people think. Both are water-based heat transfer components, but they work opposite each other and are better for different applications. Here is a full breakdown of the differences between chilled water vs hot-water coils, and how to decide which to use for your application.

Understanding Fan Coil Units

By Colby Maun • August 3, 2026
For buildings that require targeted zoning, such as hotels, offices, apartments, hospitals, retail spaces, and more, fan coils can assist in maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature. Each fan coil unit serves a particular space, which allows individual occupants to control their area of a building without affecting the rest of it. Understanding fan coils and how they work can help facility managers of these styles of buildings more properly maintain and replace units to prevent downtime in their systems. Here is a breakdown of how they work, the different types, and the common problems that they run into in their life cycle.

Which Material is Best for your Coil?

By Colby Maun • July 27, 2026
In commercial HVAC, one of the largest yet overlooked aspects of a custom coil replacement job is the materials that the coil is made of. Different materials thrive better in different systems and environments, which affects the lifespan and efficiency of the coil. Making sure that your replacement coil is best suited for your unique system and location is integral to any facility, and failure to do so can increase costs and decrease reliability. Here is a breakdown of each material in your coil and what scenarios to select each in.

What Actually Goes into Measuring a Coil

By Colby Maun • July 20, 2026
For any coil or heat exchanger replacement job, one of the first steps in the process is for HeatEX Technologies to measure the existing coil/heat exchanger to ensure a perfect fit in the unit. Recently, I had the privilege of going out to my second job site to take measurements with HeatEX Technologies. Here is my account of what actually goes into measuring a coil, and my experience from start to finish.

Trane CGAM070 Microchannel Conversion Case Study

July 13, 2026
After multiple refrigerant leaks sprang from a Trane CGAM070 air-cooled chiller in West Palm Beach, FL, our customer faced a difficult challenge. They had to decide whether to replace the failed microchannel condenser coils with new OEM microchannel coils or pivot and invest in a different, longer-term solution. After much evaluation, our customer decided to convert the chiller from aluminum microchannel coils to copper tube aluminum fin condenser coils.

The Biggest Takeaways from the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference for Commercial HVAC

By Colby Maun • July 6, 2026
Last week, from June 27 th to July 1 st , ASHRAE held its 2026 Annual Conference in Austin, TX, and brought together more than 2,233 HVAC professionals from all over the world. The conference covered a broad range of many topics prevalent in the industry today, from fundamentals and applications to AI in building design and construction. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference for commercial HVAC.

5 Warning Signs Your Coil Needs Replacement

By Colby Maun • June 29, 2026
In a commercial HVAC unit, coil failure is one of the most frequent and costly problems a system can have. Coil failure in a commercial HVAC unit leads to performance, efficiency, and reliability issues, making it one of the most important aspects in the system. Coils can fail for many different reasons, and understanding when a coil is starting to need replacement can save facility managers tons of extra downtime and stress. Here are 5 warning signs that your commercial HVAC coil needs replacement, so that the next time your coil fails, you can be on top of the problem.

What Makes a Coil Custom?

By Colby Maun • June 22, 2026
What exactly makes a custom coil custom? Most facility managers assume that a custom coil only differs from OEM in sizing. The reality is that dimensions are only a fraction of what makes a custom coil custom. Each job is different, with many different factors going into a custom coil, such as dimensions, tube configuration, fin design, materials, and performance requirements. The most commonly thought of aspect when it comes to custom coils is the dimensions. This includes height, width, and depth of the coil, which allows for custom replacement coils to fit perfectly into the system they are designed for. Doing this without major modifications is crucial when manufacturing a custom replacement coil. The tube configuration of the coil also plays a very important role in customization. The circuitry, number of rows, and tube diameter all impact this aspect and contribute to the efficiency and heat transfer of a custom coil.
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