AHRI: EPA Refrigerant Rule Puts U.S. Manufacturing Investment at Risk
Key Highlights
- Industry groups say EPA delay in refrigerant transition deadlines may increase prices and cause supply shortages for existing refrigerants;
- AHRI and the Alliance argue that delay undermines investments made by U.S. manufacturers in new equipment, refrigerants, and domestic production;
- Most new residential and commercial equipment already uses next-gen refrigerants, which are readily available and approved for use today;
- The rule change does not impact existing equipment, only new equipment manufactured or imported after the transition dates.
Arlington VA, May 21, 2026 -- The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy (Alliance) criticized supermarket chains that supported an EPA final rule announced today that delays refrigerant transition dates for new supermarket refrigeration equipment.
The groups said the rule increases the risk of higher prices by increasing the demand for existing refrigerants while reducing their supply, impacting refrigerant costs for supermarkets, commercial buildings, and residential dwellings.
“This rule works against basic supply and demand,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI President and CEO. “By extending the compliance deadline, the EPA is maintaining and even increasing demand in the market for existing refrigerants while supply continues to fall under the AIM Act. So, instead of falling, refrigerant prices are likely to rise, resulting in higher service costs, and higher costs for consumers.”
President Trump signed the AIM Act into law in 2020 to support American air conditioning and refrigeration manufacturing, strengthen domestic production, and protect billions of dollars in investment in the U.S. economy.
The groups also emphasized that the requirements did not apply to existing equipment. Supermarkets and other businesses could already keep using and servicing equipment they own. The requirements applied only to new equipment manufactured or imported after the transition dates.
“This was never a rule forcing stores to replace existing equipment,” Yurek said. “It was a rule for new equipment. The EPA has no analysis showing that delaying these dates will lower costs for consumers.”
AHRI and the Alliance said the final rule also harms U.S. manufacturers that invested to meet the existing dates. Over the past several years, manufacturers redesigned products, retooled factories, certified new equipment, expanded domestic production, and trained workers to build and service next generation refrigerant equipment.
“American manufacturers did what Congress and the first Trump Administration asked them to do,” said John Hurst, Executive Director of the Alliance. “They invested in new equipment, new refrigerants, new production lines, and American workers. The Administration has now changed course in a way that weakens those investments.”
AHRI and the Alliance also rejected claims that the market is not ready. Next generation refrigerants are widely available and approved for use today. Today, over 90 percent of new residential and light commercial equipment already uses these next-generation refrigerants.
AHRI and the Alliance said they will continue working with policymakers to address the rule’s impact on refrigerant costs, affordability, and U.S. manufacturing.
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The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, commercial refrigeration, and water heating equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI’s 300+ member companies manufacture quality, efficient, and innovative residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment and components for sale in North America and around the world.
About the Alliance
The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy (Alliance) is an industry coalition of fluorocarbon producers, user entities and trade associations of companies that rely on these compounds. The Alliance was organized in 1980 and has been a leading voice in the development and implementation of ozone protection policy at the global level as well as domestic implementation under Title VI of the Clean Air Act. Today, the Alliance coordinates industry participation in the development of economically and environmentally beneficial international and domestic policies at the nexus of ozone protection and climate change.