If you haven’t heard just yet, the federal refrigerant regulations have changed how HVAC systems are managed.  At the start of 2026 South Carolina facilities have been operating under new requirements that had never applied to them before.

This transition that is driven by the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, does not require one to replace functioning equipment with older refrigerant from within. Instead, it puts a new focus on refrigerant accountability, system performance, and long-term planning. For facility managers, success in this environment comes down to having a clear mechanical strategy rather than reacting to unexpected repairs, rising refrigerant costs, or compliance issues.

The most significant change already took effect at the start of 2026 when the EPA lowered the previous leak repair threshold from 50 pounds to just 15 pounds of refrigerant. This adjustment brings a large portion of HVAC equipment currently in operation into compliance for the first time.  Any time when refrigerant is added to an affected system, the leak rate must documented. If the system exceeds the allowable limit allowed by the AIM Act, it must be repaired within a 30 day window. If that timeline cannot be met, a system retrofit or plan to replace said unit is then required.

No need to jump the gun on getting quotes for unit replacements just yet…existing HVAC systems are still able to be serviced. But what has changed is the level of documentation necessary when dealing with refrigerant.

HVAC Systems For The Future

The newly manufactured HVAC equipment now use a low GWP refrigerants such as R-32 & R-454B. These systems are designed to meet current environmental standards while also supporting higher efficiency along with having ease of to refrigerant availability within the market.

For facilities evaluating upcoming capital projects for their facility, this makes early coordination more important than ever. Equipment decisions made today will directly impact operating costs, serviceability for the coming time.  As the national refrigerant phasedown continues for those older HFC’s (R-22/R-410A, etc.), refrigerant supply will continue to dwindle and cost for said refrigerant can be volatile.  Now is the time to have an understanding at to which systems should be repaired versus retrofitted, where and when replacement aligns with your budget, and how to maintain reliability of the system(s) while also controlling the lifecycle cost.

These are building performance decisions…not just a service call for a system low on refrigerant.

WBG’s Service Team

At WBG, refrigerant regulations are approached through a single lens when partnering with our team…helping your building perform better.

Our Service Team begins each and every conversation by establishing a clear understanding of where your facility stands at it present time.  From what type of refrigerant per unit, leak history, HVAC equipment age, and its remaining useful life. From there we will work to mutually develop a practical proactive service program that aligns compliance requirements and your operational and capital planning goals.

As a family owned company that has served South Carolina for more than 100 years, we understands teams are continually taking on new budget responsibilities and day to day operational demands. With a seasoned team of HVAC pro’s to provide mechanical solutions, we help you navigate the regulations, prioritize next steps, and implement a program that will support your operation.