Due to the environmental impact of R-410A, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will be phased out and replaced by more eco-friendly alternatives. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the R-410A refrigerant phase out and what it means for homeowners.
Yes, 410a is being phased out but manufacturers will continue to offer parts support for their 410a equipment past the 2025 cut off date.
The R-410A phase-out means new HVAC systems will use more sustainable refrigerants. The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase down the production and consumption of certain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), including R-410A.
R-454B is the new refrigerant in 2024. By 2025, the EPA's required phaseout of R-410A will be in full effect, with production, importation, and distribution no longer allowed. HVACR businesses must be evaluating their current choices in coolant and ready to make the jump.
In fact, R-410A will continue to be produced until 2040. However, as its availability decreases, you can expect the price of R-410A refrigerant to rise by 20-25%. This means you'll be paying more and more for maintenance and repairs of your aging AC unit.
The replacements for R-410A are the two A2Ls, Forane® R-32 and R-454B. Forane® R-32 can be used in new equipment designed specifically for mildly flammable refrigerants as a replacement for R-410A equipment. Its low density allows for the use of a smaller refrigerant charge.
R-410A refrigerant prices range from $40 to $75 per pound. To replace R-410A refrigerant in your leaky AC, you will need to hire an HVAC professional since the EPA prohibits handling AC refrigerant without a license.
No. R32 is not suitable as a drop-in replacement for R410A and must only be used in systems specifically designed for R32.
What refrigerant will replace R-410A in 2025? For whole-home systems, Lennox has chosen 2025 Compliant Refrigerant R-454B due to its excellent performance for ducted systems and zero ozone depletion potential. For mini-splits, we selected R-32, designed to optimize efficiency and reliability in ductless systems.
R-410A PHASE-DOWN TIMELINE
We will reach a 70% decrease by 2029. In 2034, we will see 80% less R-410A being produced than it is today, and the phase-down will end in 2036 with another 5% reduction.
The pressure can become high enough for parts of the system to rupture. At the very least, leaks will occur. Mixing refrigerants is not an option either. This will contaminate the system, and the R22 will not evaporate under the higher suction pressure that R410A requires.
What refrigerant is being phased out in 2024? The HFCs and HFC-blend refrigerants that are being phased out are: R-410A. R-404A.
RS-53 (R470A) is a new non-flammable Drop-in replacement for R410A with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) less than half that of R410A. RS-53 (R470A) has a similar thermodynamic performance to R410A with matching energy efficiency and cooling capacity.
Regulatory Changes: As the phase-out continues to restrict production levels and importation, the R-410A price will likely increase. Manufacturing Costs: Fluctuations in the cost of raw materials and manufacturing can also influence the price of refrigerants.
Originally the phase out of R-410A equipment was slated for January 1, 2023—for many reasons that goal is not going to be reached. For most HVAC applications (excluding VRF), the goal seems to be a ban on any refrigerant with a GWP greater than 750 by 2025.
R32 has a GWP of 675, roughly 30% lower than that of R410A. R32 systems use up to 20% less refrigerant than R410A, making them more efficient and cost less to operate. Ozone Depletion Potential of 0. Easier to recycle than R410A, as R32 is a single-component refrigerant.
In December 2022, the EPA unveiled a refrigerant ban that will go into effect between 2025 and 2026 (depending on the industry). The result? R-410A is out, shaking up the HVACR industry, which relies heavily on this refrigerant.
No. R-454B is NOT a drop-in replacement for R-410A. Although many of the characteristics of R-454B are similar to R-410A, the use of R-454B is restricted by code and regulation to systems for which it was specifically designed.
What is the replacement for R-410A? A lower GWP replacement for R-410A is Forane® R-32. Forane® 32 is a stand-alone third generation refrigerant for new residential and light commercial air conditioning systems, heat pumps and other HVAC applications.
ComStar's RS-53 (R470A) is the world's only drop-in retrofit replacement for existing R410a systems.
How much will an R-22 to R-410A conversion cost? The actual cost will depend on many things, including where you live, but most of the time R-22 conversions start at around $2,000 and go up from there. The higher end of that range is somewhere around $4,500 to $4,600.
R32 is a single gas, not a combination of two varieties. For this reason, it costs up to 30% less per kilogram than conventional refrigerants like R410A. Energy-efficient.
The EPA has rules about the purchasing of refrigerant according to its Clean Air Act, Section 608, 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F. The rules state that those who purchase R-410A or any other ozone-depleting substance or ODS must have EPA certification.
A three-ton air conditioner would typically have six to 12 pounds of refrigerant for a proper charge.
R-454B is the newest refrigerant, which will gradually replace R-410A, the refrigerant used in current HVAC manufacturing. R-454B is a blend of R-32, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), and R-1234yf a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO).