R-454B is the refrigerant the residential HVAC industry has largely settled on to replace R-410A under the EPA AIM Act phase-down. Its Global Warming Potential is roughly 466 — well under the 700-GWP ceiling that applies to newly manufactured residential systems since January 1, 2025, and a fraction of R-410A's ~2,088.
Three things make R-454B working knowledge rather than trivia for Texas ACR contractors:
- It is an A2L refrigerant — "mildly flammable." Handling, installation, and service all require updated safety protocols compared with R-410A practice.
- No retrofits. Systems cannot be retrofitted from R-410A to R-454B — the two refrigerants are not interchangeable. Moving a customer to R-454B means new equipment.
- Higher equipment costs. A2L equipment generally costs more because of its safety requirements — a real factor in quotes and repair-versus-replace conversations.
Existing R-410A systems can still be maintained and serviced throughout their useful life, so contractors will be running both refrigerants side by side for years.
What it means for your renewal
Refrigerant handling and transitions are an approved topic for the 7 flexible hours of your 8-hour annual CE — and right now there is no more practical use for them than the R-454B changeover. A current course keeps your safety protocols and customer guidance up to date while clearing your TDLR renewal requirement.