R-410A Phase-Out Is Here: What Every GTA Commercial Property Manager Must Do Right Now

As of January 1, 2026, Canada banned new equipment using R-410A refrigerant. If your building's rooftop units or split systems still run on it, your repair bills are about to climb — and fast. Here's exactly what that means for your portfolio.

Bottom line up front: Your existing R-410A systems are not illegal and don't need to be replaced immediately. But refrigerant to service them is becoming scarcer and more expensive every month. If your units are 10+ years old, waiting to plan is the most expensive decision you can make.

Understanding the R-410A phase-out: what Toronto buildings need to know

Under Canada's updated Ozone-depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations (ODSHAR), aligned with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the manufacture and import of new HVAC equipment using R-410A is now prohibited. The regulation targets R-410A specifically because of its Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 2,088 — meaning one pound of leaked refrigerant is the climate equivalent of releasing over a tonne of CO₂.

This is not the first time the industry has gone through this. R-22 (Freon) was phased out in 2010 for damaging the ozone layer. Property managers who didn't plan ahead paid through the nose for R-22 top-ups through the 2010s — some as high as $90–$150 per pound. R-410A is now on the same trajectory.

2,088

GWP of R-410A — 2,088× more potent than CO₂

3×

Expected cost increase for R-410A top-ups as supply tightens

700

Maximum GWP allowed in new commercial HVAC systems in Canada

75%

Reduction in environmental impact with next-gen A2L refrigerants

The two refrigerants replacing R-410A in GTA buildings

Equipment manufacturers have largely converged on two alternatives for commercial applications. Understanding them helps you ask better questions when getting quotes:

Refrigerant	GWP	Classification	Common use in commercial	Status
R-454B (Puron Advance)	466	A2L — mildly flammable	Packaged RTUs, split systems, chillers	Primary commercial replacement
R-32	675	A2L — mildly flammable	Ductless systems, VRF	Common in newer multi-splits
R-410A (existing)	2,088	A1 — non-flammable	Most systems installed before 2025	No new equipment permitted

Note on "mildly flammable": A2L refrigerants require certified technicians and specific sensor equipment. They have been used safely in millions of systems across Europe and Asia for years. Your HVAC contractor must hold the appropriate A2L handling certifications — ask for proof before any new installation.

What this means practically for your GTA building

1. You cannot retrofit your existing R-410A units to the new refrigerants

This is the question we hear most often. The answer is no — not practically. New A2L refrigerants operate at different pressures and require updated compressors, safety sensors, and internal components. Retrofitting an R-410A rooftop unit is typically more expensive than replacing it and may void the manufacturer's warranty.

2. Your existing units can still be serviced — but at rising cost

Nothing forces you to replace a functioning R-410A system. But as production quotas shrink further through 2026–2036, the cost to recharge or repair those systems will increase significantly. Budget for this in your 2026–2027 operating costs now.

3. New automatic leak detection requirements for large systems

Systems containing more than 10 kg of refrigerant now require automatic leak detection (ALD) under the 2026 regulations. For most commercial buildings in Toronto running multiple RTUs, this is not optional — it is a compliance requirement. Non-compliant systems face regulatory exposure during building inspections.

4. Ontario's carbon tax adds a financial layer

With the federal carbon tax now at $110 per tonne in 2026, every leaking or inefficient R-410A system contributes directly to your carbon liability. Upgrading older systems is increasingly a financial decision, not just an environmental one.

A practical decision framework: repair or replace?

Your system situation	Recommended action	Priority
R-410A unit, under 8 years old, running well	Continue maintenance; budget for refrigerant cost increases; no immediate replacement needed	Low urgency
R-410A unit, 10–15 years old, minor issues	Get a replacement assessment now; if repair cost exceeds 30–40% of replacement cost, replace with A2L unit	Plan this year
R-410A unit, 15+ years old, or recurring failures	Replace immediately; you are in the "obsolescence trap" where repair costs outpace replacement value	Replace now
Planning new construction or major retrofit in GTA	Specify R-454B or R-32 equipment only; R-410A equipment cannot be installed in new builds after Jan 2026	Mandatory

5 steps GTA property managers should take this quarter

1. Audit your refrigerant inventory. Walk your mechanical rooms and rooftops. The refrigerant type is listed on the manufacturer's label of every unit. Document which systems use R-410A and their age and condition. If labels are missing or illegible, a certified technician can identify the refrigerant in under 15 minutes.

2. Identify which units cross the 10 kg threshold. Any system holding 10 kg or more of refrigerant now requires automatic leak detection under the 2026 regulations. Flag these systems and confirm compliance status with your HVAC contractor.

3. Update your HVAC capital plan through 2028. The refrigerant transition means older units will have compressed useful lives. A unit you planned to run until 2030 may need replacement by 2027 if R-410A service costs spike. Revise your capex projections accordingly — and factor in the 10–15% premium on new A2L equipment.

4. Verify your contractor is A2L certified. Handling, installing, and servicing A2L refrigerants (R-454B, R-32) requires specific certification and equipment. Not all GTA HVAC contractors have completed this training. Before any new installation quote, confirm A2L certification. Burban Air Systems technicians are fully certified for A2L handling and installation across the GTA.

5. Apply for Ontario's Save on Energy incentives. The Save on Energy program currently offers enhanced incentives for commercial buildings that replace aging R-410A units with high-efficiency, low-GWP systems. These rebates can meaningfully offset replacement costs — but programs change, and the best incentive windows are open now. Don't leave money on the table.

Silver lining: New A2L-based commercial HVAC equipment is significantly more efficient than equivalent R-410A units from 5+ years ago. SEER2 ratings of 18–22 are now standard in mid-range commercial units, versus 13–16 SEER on older equipment. For buildings replacing aging systems, the energy savings alone often justify the upgrade independent of refrigerant compliance.

Frequently asked questions from GTA building owners

Is my existing R-410A rooftop unit illegal?

No. Existing systems are not banned. The regulation prohibits new equipment from being manufactured or imported using R-410A — your currently installed units can remain in service and be maintained for as long as refrigerant is available and service is economically viable.

When will R-410A refrigerant actually become unavailable?

It won't disappear overnight. Reclaimed and recycled refrigerant will be available throughout the phase-down period running to 2036. But availability will tighten and costs will rise year over year. The comparable phase-out of R-22 is instructive: top-up costs went from roughly $5/lb to $90–$150/lb over a decade. Plan accordingly.

Can I install a "new" R-410A unit I already have in storage?

For packaged rooftop units, the deadline for installation is January 1, 2028. For split systems, it was January 1, 2026. If you have R-410A package units in storage intended for a future project, work with your contractor to confirm the installation timeline and applicable regulations.

Does this affect my lease compliance obligations?

Potentially yes. Commercial leases increasingly include clauses tied to building systems meeting current code. The automatic leak detection requirement for systems over 10 kg is a hard compliance item. Review your lease agreements and confirm your systems are not creating any disclosure or compliance gaps.

Not sure which of your building's systems are affected?

Burban Air Systems has been serving GTA commercial buildings since 1980. Our team can perform a full refrigerant audit, assess your units against the 2026 regulations, and give you an honest, no-pressure replacement vs. maintenance recommendation — plus help you access available Ontario energy incentives.

R-410A phase-out Commercial HVAC Toronto GTA property managers A2L refrigerants R-454B HVAC compliance 2026 Ontario ODSHAR RTU replacement Save on Energy rebates