Starting January 2025, as part of the AIM Act passed by Congress, the EPA will prohibit the manufacturing of new R-410A systems. This means that ACs and heat pumps that run on R-410A will not be designed and built, and only the newer systems with better refrigerants will be replacing existing stock going forward.
The new EPA refrigerant regulations for 2025 will phase out the use of high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants like R-410A, replacing them with more eco-friendly alternatives, such as R-454B and R-32.
Starting January 1, 2025, all new residential air conditioners and heat pumps must utilize A2L refrigerants. Older refrigerants like R-410, which are likely the refrigerant used by your current system, are being phased out. These new systems are designed to have a lower global warming potential (GWP).
On January 1, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production and import of R-22. But units manufactured in 2009 and earlier still use R-22 today. Its use will eventually be eliminated in the U.S., so all current and future homeowners must be prepared for the transition.
In 1987 an agreement called the Montreal Protocol was signed to begin the worldwide phase out of ozone-depleting CFCs and in 1992 HCFCs were added. In 2010, manufacturers were no longer able to produce new equipment designed with R22 and at the end of 2020, production and import of R22 will be eliminated.
As of January 1, 2020, production and import of R22 refrigerant will be illegal in the United States. Of course, continued use of your air conditioner (AC) or heat pump system using R22 refrigerant is allowed.
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 new refrigerant changes in 2025 are part of a larger effort to make air conditioning systems more environmentally friendly, while still keeping homes comfortable. These changes are being driven by regulations to phase out older refrigerants like R-410A, which have a high global warming potential (GWP).
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.
It was only after 2020 that it became illegal to manufacture or import R-22 refrigerant. R-410A will be phased out in much the same way. Since so many systems use R-410A refrigerant, it's not going anywhere. We'll have R-410A on hand for many years to come and will easily be able to service HVAC systems that use it.
R-454B. R-454B is the newest refrigerant, which will gradually replace R-410A, the refrigerant used in HVAC manufacturing from 2010 until the phase-out is complete in January 2025.
Recently, new regulations have been introduced for residential and commercial AC systems that are anticipated to raise the costs of HVAC systems in 2025 with prices expected to steadily increase as the market adjusts.
This group of synthetic refrigerants is not subject to a ban on use. This means that installations using R134a, R407C and R410A can simply be refilled after 2030. However, there will be significantly less synthetic refrigerant available in the future due to production limitations.
A High-Performing Alternative to R-134a
Opteon™ XL10 (R-1234yf) refrigerant is a non-ozone depleting (ODP) hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) option that meets the industry's growing demands for sustainable, safe, and effective solutions.
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.
As Freon was phased out, new HVAC systems began using a refrigerant known as Puron® or R-410A, an HFC. More efficient and less harmful to the environment, R-410A has been in use since its introduction in 1996 and is found in most of today's modern HVAC systems.
Starting in 2025, the HVAC industry will shift toward using refrigerants with a lower GWP. Among the most discussed replacements are R-32 and R-454B. These refrigerants perform similarly to traditional refrigerants like R-410A but with a significantly lower environmental impact.
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.
Should I wait until 2024 to buy a heat pump? It's not necessary to wait until 2024 to buy a heat pump. The California heat pump rebate program is currently available, offering financial incentives for homeowners who install energy-efficient heat pump systems.
The 2025 refrigerant transition refers to the new regulations requiring the use of more environmentally friendly refrigerants in HVAC systems. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ozone depletion.
If you replace your aging air conditioner before Jan. 1, 2025, you can save as much as 30% on new installation costs. You may also be eligible for federal tax credits of up to $2,000 for energy efficient systems.
In conclusion, the refrigerant change to A2L refrigerants like R-454B and R-32 marks a significant shift for the HVAC industry. These new refrigerants aim to reduce environmental impact with their lower global warming potential. However, they also come with increased equipment costs and new safety requirements.
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.
R-410A is a refrigerant that is classified as a greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential and a negative impact on the climate. It is being phased out for a more environmentally friendly solution for HVAC systems.
As a part of this plan, R-410A refrigerant will be gradually phased out of production. The objective is to replace it entirely with A2L refrigerants over time. Starting in 2025, HVAC manufacturers can no longer make equipment that requires R-410A.