Are you required to have a license or to be certified to handle and purchase R-410A? You are required to have an EPA Section 608 Type II or Universal certification license to handle R-410A, but no license is legally necessary for purchase.
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.
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.
Any person servicing, installing or disposing of stationary appliances (except the disposal of small appliances) must be a section 608 certified technician. Selling refrigerant to an individual or company that is not complying with this requirement could result in enforcement action against you or your company.
R-410A won't actually be phased out of production until the 2040s. Also, contractors can still reclaim and reuse refrigerant from older systems. This means R-410A will be available, and we'll be able to service these units easily for the next 20 years.
Currently, the price for recharging an air conditioning system with R-410A is around $90 per pound.
ComStar's RS-53 (R470A) is the world's only drop-in retrofit replacement for existing R410a systems. At 909, RS-53 has a GWP that is effectively 56% lower than R410a. Additionally, RS-51 (R470B) has a GWP of 717 which is 80% lower than R404a, R507 and half of R448A and R449A.
While it is not usually illegal to install an air conditioning unit in your own home, there are several important factors to consider before taking on this DIY project. Local building codes, refrigerant handling, electrical work, and proper sizing and placement are all critical aspects of a successful installation.
You do not need an EPA license to purchase R-410A. However, you do need a license to use it to charge a system. While we encourage responsible DIYers, there are some things you should definitely leave to a trained HVAC professional.
For example, if you do not have Section 608 certification, you can buy small cans of less than 2 lbs of HFC-134a.
R410a is actually a blend of two different refrigerants, one of which is called R125. There's currently a world shortage of R125 because there aren't enough plants to produce it. Without enough R125, producers can't make enough R410a to keep up with the increasing demand.
Refrigerant can only be sold to technicians certified under the Section 608 or Section 609 technician certification programs, where individuals may only purchase refrigerant consistent with the appliances covered by their certification.
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.
Even after 2026, when the EPA will have banned hydrofluorocarbon production, you'd still get until at least that same year before purchasing the product would become illegal. That could extend until 2027. All said, beginning from 2024 onward, you could have three more years to purchase R-410A refrigerant.
Passing the Section 609 Certification test allows you to purchase refrigerant in quantities over two pounds, and also learn to recover and recycle refrigerant in compliance with U.S. EPA regulations. A minimum score of 84% is required to earn your certification. Online test: An ONLINE test is taken on your computer.
You cannot just switch refrigerants because R410-A and R-22 have different chemical properties. R410-A operates at a higher pressure. If you put R410-A into an R-22 system, the parts will rupture due to the increased force.
The questions are on specific information in the EPA Section 608 laws. It is a proctored exam and has to be by a licensed person who watches you and your computer so you don't cheat (required by the EPA). How much does the EPA 608 certification cost? The EPA 608 class and test is $324.
What type of Certification do I need to purchase refrigerants? If you get a 608 certification (Type I, Type II, Type II, or Universal), you can buy any refrigerant sold in an HVAC/R store in containers of 20 pounds or more.
Non-dimensional analysis shows that the inertia of R410A is higher than that of R134a. At low qualities, when the flow regime is churn, the higher inertia enables top tubes to receive more liquid so that the distribution of R410A is a little better than that of R134a.
You are required to have an EPA Section 608 Type II or Universal certification license to handle R-410A, but no license is legally necessary for purchase.
While DIY projects can cut down on bills tremendously while giving you something to do, it's better to leave some tasks to the professionals. Regarding DIY HVAC replacement, unless you're a certified and licensed technician, it's better to call a company.
Here's What You Need to Know Before Buying an AC Unit. Homeowners can purchase several types of AC units directly. Window and portable AC units are the easiest type for homeowners to purchase and install.
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.
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.
No. R32 is not suitable as a drop-in replacement for R410A and must only be used in systems specifically designed for R32.