Last reviewed: August 2026 · By the HVAC Brief Editorial Team · Our sourcing and editorial standards
Four dated federal changes are already scheduled for HVAC between 2027 and 2036, and the two that matter most to residential contractors are December 18, 2028 and January 1, 2029.
The first requires 95% AFUE gas furnaces. The second halves HFC production allowances. They land eleven days apart.
| Date | What happens | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2027 | End of the VRF sell-through for systems whose components were built before January 1, 2026. | 40 CFR 84.54(c)(2) |
| January 1, 2028 | Extended VRF sell-through ends where a building permit issued before October 5, 2023 specified the refrigerant. | 40 CFR 84.54(c)(2) |
| December 18, 2028 | Non-weatherized and mobile home gas furnaces must meet 95% AFUE, up from 80%. | 10 CFR 430.32(e) |
| January 1, 2029 | HFC production and consumption allowances drop from 60% to 30% of baseline. | 40 CFR 84.7 |
| 2034 and 2036 | Allowances step down again to 20%, then 15% of baseline. | 40 CFR 84.7 |
Why the two 2028-29 dates interact
A contractor replacing a gas furnace after December 2028 is installing condensing equipment, which vents through plastic pipe to a sidewall rather than up a chimney. In houses where the furnace shared a chimney with an atmospheric water heater, that leaves the water heater on an oversized flue. See why the venting change is the real problem.
Two weeks later, refrigerant allowances halve. A business planning capital equipment, training and stock for that period is planning for both at once. See our phasedown schedule.
No federal end date exists for installing pre-2025 R-410A residential inventory. EPA removed that cutoff effective July 27, 2026. State rules can differ, and several states run their own HFC programmes that are stricter than the federal position.
Frequently asked questions
What HVAC rules are coming in 2028 and 2029?
Two significant ones eleven days apart. Non-weatherized and mobile home gas furnaces manufactured on or after December 18, 2028 must meet 95% AFUE, up from 80%. On January 1, 2029, HFC production and consumption allowances drop from 60% of baseline to 30% under 40 CFR 84.7.
When does the VRF sell-through end?
January 1, 2027 for systems whose components were manufactured or imported before January 1, 2026, extending to January 1, 2028 where a building permit issued before October 5, 2023 specified the restricted refrigerant, under 40 CFR 84.54(c)(2).
Is there a deadline for installing R-410A equipment?
Not federally. EPA removed the installation cutoff effective July 27, 2026, so equipment manufactured or imported before January 1, 2025 may continue to be installed with no federal end date. Several states operate stricter programmes.
Sources
- US Environmental Protection Agency, 40 CFR 84.7 and 40 CFR 84.54.
- US Department of Energy, 10 CFR 430.32(e), furnaces and boilers.
The HVAC Brief is an independent trade publication. We do not sell equipment, take manufacturer advertising, or accept payment for placement in our research. Corrections welcome.
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