(NewsNation) — Anyone hoping to repair or replace their air conditioning units this summer may face higher prices.

New federal rules are contributing to a nationwide refrigerant shortage, meaning getting cool could cost you just as it's about to get hot.

Starting this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandating a switch to more climate friendly refrigerants, but the rush to roll out new coolants has set off a supply crisis.

“During the Biden administration, the EPA enacted an HVAC management rule,” said Jorge Alvarez, co-founder of iGas USA. “And why it was done, nobody knows. It was simply done in order to speed up the process, the EPA said. Let's speed it up. Let's bring this change to happen within 15 months in lieu of 10 years or 20 years.”

That fast-track shift me

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