Session · Mechanicals and ventilation · Designers and consultants · Builders and trades · Policymakers and advocates

Refrigerants, Regulations, and Real-World HVAC Solutions

Kian Moozar; Brendan Grace, SpacePak Central Air · November 6, 2025 · Chapter · NJPH (New Jersey Passive House)

MEP engineer Kian Moozar and Brendan Grace of SpacePak Central Air on how the federal AIM Act, state codes, and new equipment are reshaping HVAC selection and installation in airtight buildings, from VRF and air-to-water to packaged and monoblock systems.

Key points

• How federal and state regulations are changing HVAC equipment choices, now and soon.
• Day-to-day refrigerant challenges in airtight buildings: code-driven piping, higher operating pressures, and proper installation.
• Trade-offs among VRF, air-to-water, and packaged unitary systems in refrigerant charge, installation, safety, and long-term performance.
• Monoblock and packaged vertical units in designs that meet Passive House comfort and efficiency while simplifying installation and cutting cost.

Learning objectives

• Describe how federal and state regulations are affecting HVAC equipment selection, and what those equipment choices are now and may be in the near future.
• Identify the day to day battles of HVAC refrigerants in buildings, including airtight, high-performance buildings—running piping based on strict code requirements, accommodating higher operating pressures, and ensuring proper installation.
• Evaluate the trade-offs among VRF, air-to-water, and packaged unitary systems in terms of refrigerant charge, installation complexity, safety, and long-term performance.
• Integrate emerging manufacturer innovations—such as monoblock systems and packaged vertical units—into design strategies that meet Passive House comfort and efficiency standards while simplifying installation and reducing costs.

Topics: Heating, cooling, and hot water