New HVAC Refrigerant in 2025: Significant Changes Are on the Horizon for HVAC Coolants.

Major changes are coming 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 implemented in 2025. These new coolants are designed to be better for the environment and meet revised regulations about global warming. But what does that mean for your present HVAC system and future services?

This shift will decrease the environmental footprint 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 contemplating getting an AC replacement soon, this is the opportune time to explore how these updates 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 of its efficiency. But research uncovered that R-410a still negatively impacts global warming. Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted a strategy back in 2021. The industry will gradually phase out R-410a to replace it with refrigerants that are better for the environment.

The HVAC industry has implemented shifts like this before. When the industry switched from using R-22 (commonly called Freon) to R-410a, residents like you had to adjust. And in the same way, this transition will impact how systems are designed as well as the optimal methods for HVAC maintenance. Both homeowners and HVAC technicians should prepare for these new refrigerants if they want to keep experiencing the safest, 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 created to deliver the same effective cooling while greatly lowering their global warming potential (GWP) compared to R-410a.

R-454B refrigerant is expected to be especially efficient due to its GWP being approximately 78% less than R-410a. While R-454B refrigerant is believed to be more flammable than R-410a, enhancements to system designs and maintenance practices will ensure servicing is just as safe to perform. Additionally, today's cooling systems using R-454B refrigerant are significantly more energy efficient, leading to substantial savings on energy bills over time, especially if you stay on top of routine HVAC maintenance.

This change isn't only about changing the refrigerant—it affects the whole HVAC system because the properties of R-454B refrigerant make it not suitable for use in older systems. Eventually, every household and business using R-410a will have to switch to one of the new systems.

R-410a Replacement: What Do I Need to Do to Transition to New HVAC Refrigerants?

Changing to the new refrigerants won't be as easy as swapping out the new coolants with what's used in your current HVAC system. That's because the unique properties of R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant mean you can't use them in a system that uses R-410a.  But rest assured—you can keep using your current R-410a system for now. Just keep in mind that as time progresses, the cost of repairs and tune-ups will rise as R-410a becomes harder to find.

Preparing in advance is the optimal way to handle things. If your AC system is already getting old, this is the best time to contemplate upgrading to a newer model that uses the new R-454B refrigerant. Plus, the team here at Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. can assist you in upgrading with flexible options for HVAC replacement financing.

What HVAC Refrigerant Does My Air Conditioner Use?

Uncertain which refrigerant your AC system utilizes? In general, you can easily locate this information by examining the label on your outdoor unit. This label shows the type of refrigerant, the model number and various other details about your cooling system.

But if you can't read the label or can't find your user manual, don't stress! You can always connect with one of the professional technicians at Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. to help you in determining this information. Get all the information you need by reaching out at 419-465-8722.