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 coming in 2025. These new coolants are engineered to be more beneficial to the environment and comply with updated regulations about global warming. But what does that mean for your current HVAC system and any new services?

This shift will decrease the environmental footprint of our air conditioning systems. In 2025, new AC systems will employ a a different class of refrigerants that more closely match with climate goals. If you're contemplating getting an AC replacement soon, this is the opportune time to investigate how these changes can influence your home's comfort.

Why Exactly Is R-410a Being Phased Out?

For years, R-410a was the go-to refrigerant for residential air conditioners because of its effectiveness. But analysis showed that R-410a still affects global warming. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted a plan back in 2021. The industry will gradually phase out R-410a to make room for refrigerants that are more environmentally friendly.

The HVAC industry has undergone shifts like this before. When the industry phased out R-22 (commonly called Freon) to R-410a, residents like you had to follow suit. And just like then, this transition will affect how systems are designed as well as the best practices for HVAC maintenance. Both homeowners and HVAC technicians must plan for these new refrigerants if they wish to continue enjoying the most secure, most cost-effective cooling possible.

New HVAC Refrigerants Replacing R-410a?

The new batch of refrigerants belong to the new "A2L" classification and contain the newest R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant coolants. They're developed to offer the same efficient cooling while significantly reducing their global warming potential (GWP) compared to R-410a.

R-454B refrigerant is believed to be especially useful due to its GWP being about 78% lower than R-410a. Although 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, contemporary cooling systems using R-454B refrigerant are considerably more energy efficient, leading to substantial savings on energy bills over time, especially if you maintain your system with routine HVAC maintenance.

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

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

Changing to the new refrigerants isn't as simple as swapping out the new coolants with what's used in your home's HVAC system. That's because the unique 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 know that as time goes on, the price of repairs and tune-ups will increase as R-410a becomes scarcer.

Anticipating the changes is the best way to handle things. If your AC system is already nearing the end of its lifespan, this is the perfect time to consider investing in a newer model that uses the new R-454B refrigerant. Plus, the HVAC specialists here at Pratt Brothers can support you with upgrading with flexible options for HVAC replacement financing.

What HVAC Refrigerant Does My Air Conditioner Use?

Unsure which refrigerant your AC system uses? In general, you can easily find this information by checking the label on your outdoor unit. This label shows the type of refrigerant, the model number and numerous other details about your cooling system.

But if you have difficulty reading the label or are missing your user manual, don't worry! You can always connect with one of the professional technicians at Pratt Brothers to help you in identifying the refrigerant. Get all the details you need by reaching out at 920-347-8495.