Major changes are on the horizon for the heating and cooling industry! Cooling systems moving 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 revised regulations about global warming. But what does that mean for your present HVAC system and future services?
This transition will reduce the environmental footprint of our air conditioning systems. In 2025, new AC systems will use new class of refrigerants that are more compatible with climate goals. If you're contemplating getting an AC replacement soon, this is the ideal time to investigate how these changes can influence your home's comfort.
Why Are They Phasing Out R-410a for New HVAC Refrigerant?
For years, R-410a was the preferred refrigerant for residential air conditioners because of its effectiveness. But studies revealed that R-410a still negatively impacts global warming. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted a plan back in 2021. The industry will steadily phase out R-410a to make room for refrigerants that are more environmentally friendly.
The HVAC industry has made changes like this before. When the industry phased out R-22 (commonly called Freon) to R-410a, homeowners like you had to follow suit. And just like then, this shift will affect how systems are engineered as well as the recommended procedures for HVAC maintenance. Both property owners and HVAC technicians need to plan for these new refrigerants if they wish to keep experiencing the safest, most energy-efficient cooling possible.
Which New Refrigerant Is Replacing R-410a?
The coming refrigerants belong to the new "A2L" classification and contain the newest R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant coolants. They're designed to provide the same efficient cooling while substantially decreasing their global warming potential (GWP) compared to R-410a.
R-454B refrigerant is expected to be especially efficient due to its GWP being around 78% less than R-410a. While R-454B refrigerant is believed to be more flammable than R-410a, improvements to system configurations and maintenance practices will ensure servicing is just as safe to perform. In addition, modern cooling systems using R-454B refrigerant are significantly more energy efficient, resulting in considerable savings on energy bills over time, especially if you maintain your system with routine HVAC maintenance.
This transition isn't only about replacing the refrigerant—it impacts the whole HVAC system because the components of R-454B refrigerant make it incompatible with older systems. Ultimately, every residence and business using R-410a will be required to upgrade to one of the new systems.
R-410a Replacement: What Do I Need to Do to Change to New HVAC Refrigerants?
Transitioning to the new refrigerants isn't as easy as replacing what's used in your home's HVAC system. That's because the distinct properties of R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant mean you can't use the new refrigerants in a system designed to use R-410a. But don't worry—you can keep using your current R-410a system for now. Just remember that as time progresses, the expense of repairs and tune-ups will go up as R-410a becomes harder to find.
Anticipating the changes is the optimal way to handle things. If your AC system is currently nearing the end of its lifespan, this is the best time to contemplate investing in a newer model that uses the new R-454B refrigerant. Plus, the HVAC specialists here at Brandywine Heating & Air can assist you in switching with flexible options for HVAC replacement financing.
Which HVAC Refrigerant Is in My Air Conditioner?
Not sure which refrigerant your AC system utilizes? In general, you can easily learn this information by examining the label on your outdoor unit. This label shows the type of refrigerant, the model number and various other specifications about your cooling system.
But if you have difficulty reading the label or can't find your user manual, don't stress! You can always connect with one of the professional technicians at Brandywine Heating & Air to help you in identifying the refrigerant. Get all the details you need by giving us a call at 302-261-3596.