Significant changes are on the way 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 arriving in 2025. These new coolants are designed to be more beneficial to the environment and comply with revised regulations about global warming. But what does that mean for your existing HVAC system and future services?

This shift will minimize the environmental effect of our air conditioning systems. In 2025, new AC systems will use new class of refrigerants that better align with climate goals. If you're considering getting an AC replacement soon, this is the opportune time to investigate 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 revealed that R-410a still contributes to global warming. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted an initiative back in 2021. The industry will progressively discontinue R-410a to introduce refrigerants that are more eco-friendly.

The HVAC industry has made transitions 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 shift will influence 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 keep experiencing the most secure, most economical cooling possible.

What Refrigerant Is Replacing R-410a?

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

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

This change isn't just about swapping out the refrigerant—it affects the whole HVAC system because the components of R-454B refrigerant make it incompatible with older systems. Ultimately, every household and business using R-410a will need to transition to one of the new systems.

R-410a Replacement: What Should I Consider in Order to Change 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 different properties of R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant make existing R-410a systems incompatible.  But rest assured—you can continue to use your current R-410a system for now. Just keep in mind that as time passes, the expense of repairs and tune-ups will rise as R-410a becomes less available.

Preparing in advance is the most effective way to handle things. If your AC system is currently getting old, this is the ideal time to contemplate upgrading to a newer model that uses the new R-454B refrigerant. Plus, the team here at SKC AC LLC can support you with 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 indicates the type of refrigerant, the model number and various other particulars about your cooling system.

But if you can't read the label or can't find your user manual, don't worry! You can always call one of the skilled technicians at SKC AC LLC to help you in determining this information. Get all the details you need by reaching out at 432-203-4881.