A‑Gas Selected to Support California Air Resources Board’s REFRESH Pilot Program
A-Gas Expands Rapid Exchange® Refrigerant Cylinder Swap Service in California
On-site cylinder swaps help California HVAC contractors access certified reclaimed refrigerant
April 2026 | A-Gas, a world leader in responsible lifecycle refrigerant management, has been selected by the North American Sustainable Refrigerant Council (NASRC) as a subcontractor under the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Refrigerant F‑gas Reclamation Support for Home HVAC (REFRESH) pilot program. As one of two reclaimers selected, A‑Gas is expanding its Rapid Exchange® on‑site cylinder swap program to serve residential HVAC contractors across California, providing a fast, hassle‑free way to exchange used recovery cylinders for clean, vacuumed, in‑date DOT‑certified cylinders while supporting responsible refrigerant recovery, reclamation, and reuse.
The REFRESH pilot is funded through CARB’s F‑gas Reduction Incentive Program (FRIP) and is designed to increase recovery of HFCs and other high‑GWP refrigerants to reduce emissions and support a circular refrigerant supply. Under FRIP Round 2: Residential HVAC Refrigerant Reclamation, NASRC awarded a grant to U.S. EPA‑certified reclaimer A‑Gas to help develop and implement refrigerant recovery programs for residential HVAC contractors participating in California building decarbonization initiatives.
As California accelerates efforts to reduce emissions from existing refrigerant stocks, residential HVAC contractors are being called on to capture refrigerant, document it properly, and return it to the circular supply chain. Rapid Exchange® simplifies cylinder management by eliminating deposits, freight charges, and unexpected fees, and by offering one‑for‑one cylinder swaps that connect contractors to A‑Gas’ refrigerant buyback and reclamation program. Contractors can access competitive buyback rates and comprehensive EPA documentation while contributing to the certified reclaimed refrigerant supply needed to meet state requirements.
Residential HVAC contractors in California are under enormous pressure to meet customer needs, manage costs, and comply with evolving environmental expectations. Rapid Exchange meets them on the job site or at their shop with clean cylinders, clear documentation, and competitive buyback so they can focus on their customers while moving more refrigerant to be reclaimed, supporting California’s circularity and emissions‑reduction goals.
Recovered refrigerant collected through Rapid Exchange® is transported to A‑Gas facilities, where it is reclaimed to AHRI‑700 specifications and returned to the supply chain for future reuse; material that can’t be reprocessed is safely destroyed using proven destruction technologies to help prevent harmful emissions. For refrigerant then sold into the California market, A-Gas’ PENGUINTM Certified Reclaimed Refrigerants meet all California state requirements as part of State Bill 1206 (SB 1206) and Assembly Bill 663 (AB 663).
Through participation in CARB's REFRESH pilot and FRIP funding, A‑Gas is helping California HVACR professionals meet growing regulatory expectations and eligibility criteria around certified reclaimed refrigerants under state laws such as SB 1206 and AB 663. By expanding access to high‑quality reclaimed refrigerant recovered from existing residential systems, A‑Gas supports contractors in complying with California mandates, maintaining system performance, and keeping valuable gases in circulation and out of the atmosphere.
