Why is the HVAC industry transitioning away from R410A refrigerant?

R410A is being phased out due to its high global warming potential under evolving environmental regulations. The industry is shifting to lower-GWP A2L refrigerants such as R454B, though the compressed timeline for this transition has caused supply shortages and price spikes. Many contractors and technicians have been left scrambling for clarity on compliance and equipment compatibility.

How do commission-based HVAC sales models affect homeowners?

Commission-based sales structures can incentivize technicians and salespeople to recommend full system replacements rather than more affordable repairs, prioritizing company profit over the homeowner's best interest. Joshua Griffin argues this practice erodes consumer trust and calls for greater transparency in how HVAC services are priced and presented. Educating homeowners on their options is key to counteracting these pressures.

What is being done to address the HVAC labor shortage?

Industry advocates like Joshua Griffin are promoting mentorship initiatives and peer 'growth groups' to transfer hands-on expertise from veteran technicians to newer entrants in the trade. Griffin has also built consumer-facing educational content through his New HVAC Guide platform and YouTube channel to bridge knowledge gaps on both sides of the industry. Broader recruitment and retention efforts focused on culture and purpose are also being discussed across the sector.

Heating Up the HVAC Industry: Closing the G...

Heating Up the HVAC Industry: Closing the Gaps in Mentorship, Training, and Trust with Joshua Griffin

In this episode of Straight Outta Crumpton, host Greg Crumpton and guest Joshua Griffin examine the pressures reshaping the residential HVAC industry, including the accelerated phase-out of R410A, supply chain disruptions tied to A2L refrigerants like R454B, and ethical concerns around commission-driven sales models. Griffin advocates for greater consumer education, mentorship through growth groups, and transparency as antidotes to a trust deficit between homeowners and HVAC contractors. The conversation also highlights the deepening labor gap and the urgent need to pass hands-on knowledge to the next generation of technicians.

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Promoted content from Straight Outta Crumpton on MarketScale.

By Vince Holland · November 11, 2025, 12:00 PM UTCGreg CrumptonHvac Guide for HomeownersJoshua GriffinLabor Gap in Hvac

Key takeaways

The rapid transition to A2L refrigerants like R454B has created supply bottlenecks, inflated prices, and widespread confusion among HVAC contractors and technicians.

Commission-based residential HVAC sales models often incentivize unnecessary equipment replacements over cost-effective repairs, eroding homeowner trust.

Mentorship programs and 'growth groups' are proposed as critical tools to close the HVAC labor gap and preserve hands-on technical knowledge.

A rapidly changing HVAC industry is being shaped by refrigerant shortages, a deepening labor gap, and shifting expectations from homeowners. With refrigerant regulations evolving and long-trusted standards like R410A being phased out, contractors and technicians are navigating not only technical complexity, but also a growing need to rebuild trust and transparency with customers. The compressed timeline for adopting newer A2L refrigerants like R454B has created confusion and bottlenecks across supply chains, leaving many professionals scrambling for clarity and consistency.

With accelerated refrigerant phase-outs, supply disruptions, and profit-driven practices reshaping the landscape, how do homeowners know whom to trust—and how should technicians adapt to stay both ethical and profitable?

In this episode of Straight Outta Crumpton, host Greg Crumpton is joined by Joshua Griffin, founder of the New HVAC Guide and host of HVAC Guide for Homeowners. Together, they dive into what’s really happening inside the HVAC industry—from refrigerant controversies to the ethics of commission-based sales—and explore how education, transparency, and “growth groups” can reshape the trade’s future.

Homeowners vs. Sales Tactics: Griffin critiques commission-based sales models in residential HVAC, arguing that they incentivize replacements over repairs—often to the homeowner’s detriment.
The R454B Controversy: Griffin and Crumpton tackle the refrigerant shortage head-on, claiming the transition to A2L refrigerants like R454B has been forced without proper planning, resulting in inflated prices and limited availability.
A Call to Mentorship: The pair discusses the urgent need to pass on hands-on wisdom through growth groups and mentorship, with Griffin inviting veteran techs to contribute to his educational platform for homeowners.

Joshua Griffin is a licensed Master HVAC and Plumbing professional with over a decade of hands-on experience, including founding and operating Griffin Air LLC for nearly 11 years. He is the founder of New HVAC Guide and host of the HVAC Guide for Homeowners YouTube channel, where he educates consumers on HVAC purchasing decisions and industry best practices. Currently, he also provides technical support and training for HVAC suppliers and leads marketing efforts through his firm, Larry the Bear Marketing.

Article written by MarketScale.