Texas Homeowners at Risk as EPA Refrigerant Ban and HVAC Shortages Converge Ahead of Peak Heat

AUSTIN, Texas and HOUSTON, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical and other HVAC companies across Texas are warning homeowners to act fast as the state heads into peak summer temperatures amid a refrigerant transition, global equipment shortages, and aging infrastructure in millions of homes.

Starting January 1, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will prohibit the manufacture and import of air conditioning systems using R-410A, the most common refrigerant in Texas homes. The change, mandated by the AIM Act, affects millions of existing HVAC units that will soon become outdated or unserviceable.

According to Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical, many older homes—particularly those built before 1995—cannot be retrofitted with new EPA-compliant refrigerants like R-32 or R-454B. In Austin, approximately 65% of homes fall into this category.

"We're already seeing delayed shipments and long lead times for compliant systems," says Vic Fredlund, HVAC Manager at Abacus. "If homeowners wait until their system fails, they may be looking at weeks without air conditioning this summer."

The risk is just as high in Houston, where prolonged heat and high humidity are putting aging systems under immense strain. Some homeowners are already facing 4–6 week wait times for new units due to shipping bottlenecks and parts delays.

Although the recent 90-day suspension of tariffs between the U.S. and China offers short-term relief, suppliers and contractors say it hasn't resolved core issues—particularly for Texas, where demand is already surging.

This issue is gaining national attention. Abacus' segment on FOX's "The Issue Is: Texas" has received over 45,000 views, spotlighting how refrigerant restrictions and equipment shortages are converging into a perfect storm for Southern homeowners.

Watch the FOX segment on the Austin HVAC crisis here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwHUbZMfytQ

Learn more about Houston HVAC preparedness at Abacus Plumbing:
https://www.abacusplumbing.net/houston/houston-air-conditioning

Interview & B-Roll Opportunities Available

Abacus experts are available for live interviews or taped segments in both Austin and Houston, including:

• Field interviews with HVAC technicians
  
  
• Visual demonstrations of outdated vs. compliant systems
  
  
• What homeowners can check today to prevent failure tomorrow

To schedule an interview or request b-roll, contact:
 Michelle Lamont — [email protected]
 (214) 228-9135

About Abacus

Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical has served Texas since 2003. Founded by master plumber Alan O'Neill, Abacus maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has earned multiple BBB Awards for Excellence.

Abacus only hires licensed and certified technicians who pass a rigorous drug and background check. All pricing is provided up front and backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Abacus is part of Wrench Group, LLC, a national leader in home repair, replacement, and maintenance services specializing in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, water, and electrical systems. Wrench Group serves over 700,000 customers annually across twelve markets and sixteen brands in the U.S.

To learn more:
www.abacusplumbing.com – for Austin
www.abacusplumbing.net – for Houston

Licenses:
ALAN O'NEILL M-20628 | TACLB82488E | TECL 30557

SOURCE Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical