2026 Refrigerant Changes in Ontario

You’ve probably heard about refrigerant changes coming in 2026 — headlines mention “R-410A phase-out” and new refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B. As owner and lead TSSA-certified technician at Hawana HVAC Solutions, I talk to concerned homeowners in London, St. Thomas, Strathroy, Woodstock and across Southwestern Ontario every week. The good news: R-410A is still fully legal, widely available, and an excellent refrigerant in 2026. Most systems installed today (and many being installed right now) use R-410A, and that will continue for years. Let’s break down what’s really happening and what it means for your home.

The Current Status of R-410A in Ontario – 2026 Reality

R-410A is not banned in Canada or Ontario in 2026. It remains the standard refrigerant for the vast majority of residential air conditioners, heat pumps, and mini-splits being manufactured and installed right now. Here’s why homeowners and technicians still trust it:

• Proven performance – 20+ years of reliable use in Ontario’s cold winters and humid summers
• High efficiency – works well with modern high-SEER systems
• Plenty of supply – parts, refrigerant, and trained technicians are widely available
• Cost-effective repairs – no premium pricing for R-410A components yet

What Is Actually Changing in 2026?

Canada (following U.S. EPA rules) is gradually reducing production and import of high-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants like R-410A. This means:

• New manufactured equipment will increasingly use lower-GWP refrigerants (R-32, R-454B) starting in 2025–2026
• R-410A will still be allowed for service/repairs of existing systems for many years (similar to R-22 phase-out timeline)
• Eventually R-410A will become more expensive and harder to source — but we’re not there yet in 2026

Newer Refrigerants: R-32 and R-454B – Where They Stand in 2026

R-32 and R-454B are the main replacements. They have much lower GWP and are slightly more efficient in some conditions. However, in Southwestern Ontario in 2026 they are still relatively new:

• Fewer real-world installations compared to R-410A
• Limited long-term customer feedback in our cold winters
• Technician training is ongoing — not every company is fully experienced yet
• Parts availability is good but not as widespread as R-410A

We’ll know much more about their long-term reliability in Ontario conditions in the coming years. For now, R-410A remains the safe, proven choice for most homeowners.

What This Means for London Homeowners in 2026

• If your current AC or heat pump uses R-410A → you can repair it normally. No need to replace early
• If buying new → you can still choose R-410A systems (still widely sold & installed)
• If considering future-proofing → newer R-32 or R-454B models are good options (especially with rebates), but not urgent yet
• Rebates remain strong for both – up to $5,000 for qualifying heat pumps regardless of refrigerant

Confused About Refrigerant Changes? Free 2026 Assessment – (647) 550-4220

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