Major changes are on the horizon for the heating and cooling industry! Cooling systems shifting from R-410a to newer refrigerants like R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant will be coming in 2025. These new coolants are developed to be friendlier to the environment and meet new regulations about global warming. But what does that mean for your present HVAC system and upcoming services?
This shift will minimize the environmental effect of our air conditioning systems. Starting with 2025, new AC systems will use a a different class of refrigerants that better align with climate goals. If you're considering getting an AC replacement soon, this is the ideal time to learn more about how these changes can affect your home's comfort.
Why Is R-410a Refrigerant Being Phased Out by New Regulations?
For years, R-410a was the preferred refrigerant for residential air conditioners because of its effectiveness. But analysis uncovered that R-410a still affects global warming. In response, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented a strategy back in 2021. The industry will gradually eliminate R-410a to replace it with refrigerants that are more environmentally friendly.
The HVAC industry has made transitions like this before. When the industry moved away from using R-22 (commonly called Freon) to R-410a, property owners like you had to adjust. And just like then, this transition will impact how systems are engineered as well as the best practices for HVAC maintenance. Both property owners and HVAC technicians need to prepare for these new refrigerants if they wish to continue enjoying the most reliable, most cost-effective cooling possible.
Which New Refrigerant Is Replacing R-410a?
The upcoming refrigerants fall under the new "A2L" classification and encompass the newest R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant coolants. They're designed to deliver the same powerful cooling while significantly reducing their global warming potential (GWP) compared to R-410a.
R-454B refrigerant is expected to be especially effective due to its GWP being about 78% less than R-410a. Although R-454B refrigerant is technically more flammable than R-410a, updates to system manufacturing and maintenance practices will ensure servicing is just as safe to perform. In addition, contemporary cooling systems using R-454B refrigerant are significantly more energy efficient, resulting in substantial savings on energy bills over time, especially if you maintain your system with routine HVAC maintenance.
This switch isn't simply about changing the refrigerant—it impacts the whole HVAC system because the characteristics of R-454B refrigerant make it incompatible with older systems. In time, every household and business using R-410a will be required to transition to one of the new systems.
R-410a Replacement: How Can I Prepare to Transition to New HVAC Refrigerants?
Changing to the new refrigerants will not be as straightforward as swapping out the new coolants with what's used in your home's HVAC system. That's because the unique properties of R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant make existing R-410a systems incompatible. But don't be concerned—you can continue to use your current R-410a system for now. Just remember that as time goes on, the price of repairs and tune-ups will go up as R-410a becomes less available.
Planning ahead is the best way to stay on top of things. If your AC system is already getting old, this is the perfect time to think about upgrading to a newer model that uses the new R-454B refrigerant. Plus, the team here at Mayeuxs AC & Heating can support you with making the transition with flexible options for HVAC replacement financing.
What Type of Cooling Refrigerant Is in My HVAC System?
Not sure which refrigerant your AC system employs? In general, you can easily learn this information by examining the label on your outdoor unit. This label indicates the type of refrigerant, the model number and numerous other details about your cooling system.
But if you have difficulty reading the label or are missing your user manual, don't worry! You can always connect with one of the professional technicians at Mayeuxs AC & Heating to help you in identifying the refrigerant. Get all the information you need by giving us a call at (985) 764-2426.
