Washington State HFC Rules Still Apply Despite EPA R-410A Extension

Washington state homeowners planning a new central air conditioner should know that a recent federal change does not affect them. The EPA recently gave contractors more time to install older R-410A equipment made before 2025, but Washington's own rule still applies on top of federal law. As of January 1, 2026, any newly installed residential air conditioning system in Washington must use a refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP, a measure of how much a substance contributes to warming compared to carbon dioxide) below 750. That rules out R-410A for new installs, regardless of what the federal rule now allows. State officials confirmed they have no plans to loosen this requirement to match EPA's change.

If you already have an R-410A system, you don't need to replace it. State officials said existing equipment can keep running as long as it meets other legal requirements, such as rules against intentionally releasing refrigerant during repairs. Washington also runs a leak-management program for larger equipment, but that mainly targets bigger commercial and industrial systems, not typical home air conditioners.

The practical takeaway for anyone shopping for new AC equipment in Washington: ask the vendor to confirm in writing that the system's refrigerant meets the state's GWP limit before you buy. Since rules vary by state, homeowners elsewhere should check what their own state requires, since federal changes don't necessarily override local restrictions.