New HVAC Refrigerant in 2025: Significant Changes Will Go into Effect for HVAC Coolants.

Major changes are coming for the heating and cooling industry! Cooling systems transitioning from R-410a to newer refrigerants like R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant will be arriving in 2025. These new coolants are engineered 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 transition will decrease the environmental impact of our air conditioning systems. Starting with 2025, new AC systems will utilize new class of refrigerants that are more compatible 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 influence your home's comfort.

Why Is R-410a Refrigerant Being Phased Out by New Regulations?

For a long time, R-410a was the standard refrigerant for residential air conditioners because it worked so well. But research showed that R-410a still affects global warming. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted an initiative back in 2021. The industry will gradually phase out R-410a to introduce refrigerants that are better for the environment.

The HVAC industry has implemented changes like this before. When the industry switched from using R-22 (commonly called Freon) to R-410a, homeowners like you had to follow suit. And in the same way, this transition will affect how systems are constructed as well as the recommended procedures for HVAC maintenance. Both homeowners and HVAC technicians should prepare for these new refrigerants if they wish to continue enjoying the safest, most cost-effective cooling possible.

Which New Refrigerant Is Replacing R-410a?

The upcoming refrigerants belong to the new "A2L" classification and contain the newest R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant coolants. They're developed to provide the same effective cooling while substantially decreasing their global warming potential (GWP) compared to R-410a.

R-454B refrigerant is believed to be especially useful due to its GWP being approximately 78% lower than R-410a. While R-454B refrigerant is technically more flammable than R-410a, improvements to system manufacturing 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, leading to big savings on energy bills over time, especially if you stay on top of routine HVAC maintenance.

This change isn't simply about replacing the refrigerant—it affects the whole HVAC system because the characteristics of R-454B refrigerant make it not suitable for use in older systems. Eventually, every home and business using R-410a will be required to switch to one of the new systems.

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

Changing to the new refrigerants won't be as straightforward as swapping out the new coolants with what's used in your home's HVAC system. That's because the different properties of R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant make existing R-410a systems incompatible.  But don't be concerned—you can keep using your current R-410a system for now. Just be aware that as time progresses, the expense of repairs and tune-ups will rise as R-410a becomes scarcer.

Preparing in advance is the optimal way to stay on top of things. If your AC system is already getting old, this is the best time to think about upgrading to a newer model that uses the new R-454B refrigerant. Plus, the staff here at J.L. Brady Company LLC can assist you in 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 uses? In general, you can easily find this information by inspecting 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 have difficulty reading the label or can't find your user manual, don't stress! You can always connect with one of the skilled technicians at J.L. Brady Company LLC to assist you in identifying the refrigerant. Get all the details you need by contacting us at 309-517-7511.