Big changes are coming 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 better for the environment and comply with revised regulations about global warming. But what does that mean for your current HVAC system and upcoming services?

This change will decrease the environmental effect of our air conditioning systems. In 2025, new AC systems will utilize a a different class of refrigerants that better align with climate goals. If you're considering getting an AC replacement soon, this is the perfect 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 a long time, R-410a was the go-to refrigerant for residential air conditioners because it worked so well. But analysis showed that R-410a still negatively impacts global warming. Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established an initiative 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 changes like this before. When the industry moved away from using R-22 (commonly called Freon) to R-410a, property owners like you had to adapt. And just like then, this change will impact how systems are designed as well as the recommended procedures for HVAC maintenance. Both homeowners and HVAC technicians should prepare for these new refrigerants if they want to keep experiencing the most reliable, most energy-efficient cooling possible.

New HVAC Refrigerants Replacing R-410a?

The new batch of refrigerants are categorized under the new "A2L" classification and contain the newest R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant coolants. They're designed to offer the same efficient cooling while greatly lowering their global warming potential (GWP) compared to R-410a.

R-454B refrigerant is believed to be especially useful due to its GWP being around 78% lower than R-410a. While R-454B refrigerant is actually more flammable than R-410a, enhancements to system manufacturing and maintenance practices will ensure servicing is just as safe to perform. Additionally, modern cooling systems using R-454B refrigerant are significantly more energy efficient, resulting in big savings on energy bills over time, especially if you maintain your system with routine HVAC maintenance.

This switch isn't simply about substituting the refrigerant—it affects the whole HVAC system because the components of R-454B refrigerant make it not suitable for use in older systems. Ultimately, every home and business using R-410a will have to upgrade to one of the new systems.

R-410a Replacement: What Should I Consider in Order to Switch to New HVAC Refrigerants?

Transitioning to the new refrigerants will not be as easy as substituting what's used in your current 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 keep in mind that as time progresses, the price of repairs and tune-ups will go up as R-410a becomes harder to find.

Preparing in advance is the most effective way to manage things. If your AC system is currently aging, this is the perfect time to consider upgrading to a newer model that uses the new R-454B refrigerant. Plus, the team here at North Mechanical Heating and Cooling can support you with switching with flexible options for HVAC replacement financing.

What HVAC Refrigerant Does My Air Conditioner Use?

Not sure which refrigerant your AC system employs? In general, you can easily learn this information by inspecting the label on your outdoor unit. This label displays the type of refrigerant, the model number and various other details about your cooling system.

But if you can't read the label or are missing your user manual, don't stress! You can always connect with one of the expert technicians at North Mechanical Heating and Cooling to help you in determining this information. Get all the details you need by contacting us at 928-263-8570.