The Refrigerant Landscape is Changing: What It Means for HVAC & Building Systems
The regulatory landscape for refrigerants is shifting rapidly, with major implications for HVAC design, equipment selection, and green-building certifications. Canada continues to implement the Kigali Amendment through the Ozone-depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations, driving an aggressive phase-down of high-GWP HFC refrigerants, moving toward an 85% reduction in HFC consumption by 2036. As a result, manufacturers are transitioning away from legacy refrigerants like R-410A and introducing systems based on low-GWP alternatives, including new A2L refrigerants that require updated safety and installation considerations.
New Requirements under LEED® v5 and the Zero Carbon Building Standard
LEED® v5 reinforces this transition by updating its Fundamental Refrigerant Management prerequisite: HCFCs are prohibited, refrigerants with a GWP above 700 must undergo an alternatives analysis with full inventory tracking and leak-management requirements, and project teams may still comply through the “no refrigerant” option where feasible. At the same time, the Zero Carbon Building-Design (ZCB-Design) Standard has elevated refrigerant impacts by integrating both leakage and end-of-life refrigerant emissions into the operational carbon balance. Version 4 of the standard sets GWP limits for new equipment and requires detailed refrigerant inventories, annual reporting, leak tracking, and emissions accounting for both new and existing systems.
What it Means for Engineers, Consultants and Building Teams
Together, these frameworks signal a clear direction: for buildings targeting high-performance and low-carbon outcomes, refrigerant strategy is now as important as energy modelling or system efficiency. Engineering and sustainability teams should prioritize specifying low-GWP refrigerants, designing systems with minimized charge sizes and robust leak-prevention measures, and maintaining detailed refrigerant inventories across the building lifecycle. Proactive refrigerant planning not only ensures compliance with LEED® v5 and ZCB but also positions projects to meet tightening federal regulations and future-proof mechanical systems for the next decade of climate-aligned design.
Ready to Navigate the New Refrigerant Landscape?
If you need support evaluating HVAC options, interpreting LEED v5 or ZCB requirements, or developing a refrigerant management strategy for your project, our mechanical, electrical, and sustainability experts are here to help. Contact us to discuss how we can support your next project.
