However, in applications with more than 500 g of refrigerant, specific refrigerants will be banned from 2027, except in ice makers, where they will be banned from 2028. For instance, R-404A, R-410A, R-134a and R-407C will be banned, whereas R-448A and R-449A will be allowed.
A number of common refrigerants, including R134a, R410A and R407C, will be banned from use in new chillers in the USA from January 1, 2024.
New Regulations Effective from 2025
Monosplit systems with a refrigerant charge of less than 3 kg will no longer be allowed to use refrigerants with a GWP value above 750. This includes refrigerants like R410A and R407C, which will no longer be permitted in such systems.
Refrigerant can only be sold to technicians who have a license from the relevant state or federal government.
Features and Benefits. Freon™ 407C has been a popular R-22 replacement because of its properties, which include: Similar cooling capacity, energy efficiency, and pressures as R-22 in systems. An ability to be topped off after a leak, multiple times, with minimal impact on system performance.
Heating mode The compressor pressure ratio of R-407C was 0.7% to 9.3% higher than R-22 for the two heating mode test conditions.
Yes. With air-conditioning systems that are similarly optimized, the compressor discharge temperature in an R134a system shall be 18–30 °F (10–17 °C) lower than that in an R407C system.
The commonly used synthetic refrigerants such as R134a, R407C and R410A have a GWP value higher than 2,500. As a result, their production is being phased out.
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.
The bill was then signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2022. As part of the bill, the sale of R-410a will be banned starting on January 1, 2030.
R22 (also known as HCFC-22) is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) once widely used as a refrigerant. If your home or office AC is over 10 years old, it's probably using R22 freon. However, R22 Freon is banned in the U.S. today.
Opteon™ XP20 (R-449C) refrigerant is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) option that replaces R-22 and R-407C in residential and commercial air conditioners, as well as direct expansion chillers. It has similar performance and properties to R-22 and R-407C and can be used in both retrofit and new equipment.
Can I use R32 in my existing air conditioning system? R32 can not be used as a drop-in replacement on existing R22, R407C and R410A systems.
The EU is currently revisiting R-1234yf emissions rules and may ban the substance in a few years. In the U.S., the EPA stands by its use.
R407C is suitable for residential & light air conditioning and direct expansion air conditioning systems. It was chosen to replace R22 by many new equipment manufacturers and is also used in medium temperature refrigeration systems.
Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, EPA prohibits individuals from knowingly venting refrigerants containing ozone-depleting refrigerants (including HCFC-22) as well as their substitutes (such as HFCs, including R-410A), while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of AC and refrigeration equipment.
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.
If you're dealing with removing an old AC unit or installing a new one that needs refrigerant added, you will need to have a specific certification to handle this yourself.
Complying with Section 608 Refrigerant Handling Rule
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires certification for anyone handling R-22, MO99, R-407C, R-134A, or R-410a refrigerants.
The best replacement for R-22 Freon is usually R-407c. It has a very low loss in capacity (0 – 5%) relative to R-22 and is less expensive than many other R-22 replacement refrigerants.
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.
Still, the answer is an emphatic, “No.” Not only would a retrofit of this type negate the environmental benefits of R-1234yf, but it would also be a violation of Federal Law under Section 203 of the Clean Air Act: “tampering” with a vehicle's emissions control device.
HFC-134a will no longer be allowed in nonroad vehicles as of January 1, 2028. Servicing of existing vehicles using HFC-134a with HFC-134a will not be impacted and will continue to be allowed.
The compressor pressure ratio of R-407C with the original coil configuration was up to 12.7% higher during air-conditioning operation than R-22, but when the evaporator coil was changed to counterflow the pressure ratio dropped to 10% higher than R-22.