R-454B Refrigerant Crisis Update: Supply Is Back, But Your Margins Are Still Squeezed

After months of anxiety about R-454B availability, HVAC contractors across the Carolinas are finally exhaling. Refrigerant supply is catching up, warehouses are stabilizing, and panic buying is fading.

HARDI (Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International) reported in October that the worst of the R-454B shortage appears to be over. The supply crunch that rattled contractors earlier this year has softened as the cooling season ended and shipments improved.

But here's what Spartanburg HVAC owners need to hear:

While the "crisis" may be over, the business impact isn't.

The Real Pain Point: Pricing Pressure

Refrigerant availability has improved, but pricing remains stubbornly high, a ripple effect from last summer's volatility when cylinders skyrocketed to $900 or more.

Prices have started dropping month over month, but they're still well above normal. For HVAC contractors, that means tighter margins and more pressure to explain costs to homeowners who are already cautious about spending.

By the Numbers:

• R-454B peaked at $900+ per cylinder (Summer 2024)

• Current pricing: Still 25-35% above pre-shortage levels

• Expected normalization: Late Q2 2026

The bottom line: The refrigerant shortage might be easing, but the pricing hangover is still hurting your bottom line.

What Local HVAC Companies Are Experiencing

Contractors across the Carolinas are reporting the same trends:

✅ Supply is back: You can get R-454B again from most distributors

✅ Prices are high but falling: Expect more normalization heading into 2026

✅ Other refrigerants lag behind: R-454A and R-454C remain limited in some areas

Contractors like Manny Griego of Arrowhead Superior Refrigeration have compared refrigerant stock to "liquid gold", still keeping it locked up tight and guarded, even as inventory returns.

And they're not wrong. Supply may be back, but confidence takes longer to rebuild.

The A2L Transition: Still a Moving Target

As the industry shifts toward A2L refrigerants, not every distributor has jumped in. Some are waiting for clarity from the EPA's pending rule changes, especially concerning manufacturing cutoffs and delayed compliance dates.

For Spartanburg HVAC companies, this means walking a tightrope, managing existing R-410A inventory while preparing for the A2L transition.

While R-410A is being phased out, there's still a "gray zone" as manufacturers and distributors balance risk and supply.

Our take? Stay informed, stay flexible, and don't overstock until regulations are final.

The Bigger Problem: Softening Demand

Even with supply stabilizing, the broader HVAC industry is feeling aftershocks.

Manufacturers like Lennox, Carrier, and Trane all reported that earlier refrigerant shortages dented consumer confidence. Rising system costs, tariffs, and sticker shock have homeowners hesitating, opting for repairs instead of replacements.

Some OEMs are forecasting 20–40% drops in residential unit sales through Q3 2026.

This is what impacts local Spartanburg HVAC business owners most:

📉 More price objections

📉 Longer sales cycles

📉 Homeowners delaying replacements

The refrigerant crisis might be ending, but now it's time to rebuild momentum and win back customer trust.

How Smart HVAC Businesses Are Adapting

Forward-thinking contractors aren't waiting for the market to normalize, they're building systems to stay strong through uncertainty.

What's working right now:

Reputation Management: Turning satisfied customers into five-star Google reviews to stay top-of-mind locally

Speed-to-Lead Systems: Responding to inquiries within seconds, because 78% of homeowners hire the first company to reply

Automation & Efficiency: Using tools to handle scheduling, reminders, and follow-ups automatically so nothing falls through the cracks

Data Tracking: Knowing exactly which marketing channels bring in profitable jobs (not just tire-kickers)

The contractors who survive market shifts aren't the ones with the lowest prices, they're the ones with the best systems.

Focus on What You Can Control

Success in 2026 won't come from waiting on the EPA, refrigerant prices, or market forecasts.

It'll come from what you can control:

✅ Your response speed

✅ Your service consistency

✅ Your customer relationships

✅ Your operational systems

The HVAC businesses that automate communication, capture leads instantly, and optimize operations now will be the ones leading the Carolinas market next year, regardless of what happens with refrigerant prices or regulations.

The Bottom Line

Yes, the R-454B refrigerant crisis is easing. But the real challenge now is recovery. Winning back customer trust, stabilizing margins, and future-proofing your operations.

Don't wait for the market to fix itself. The contractors who build systems now will dominate while others are still reacting to the next industry curveball.

Quick Action Step:
Check your current R-454B pricing against your distributor's October rates. If you're still paying premium prices, it's time to negotiate or find a new supplier.