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).
The government HVAC refrigerant mandate, initiated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and set to take effect on January 1, 2025, will phase out the use of R-410A refrigerant in residential-type HVAC systems, replacing it with R-454B and R-32, depending on the manufacturer.
Even though many HVAC manufacturers have already ended production of systems that use R-410A, they're still widely available and relatively affordable. Starting in 2025, systems using the new refrigerants will become the standard, which could drive up the price of a new HVAC system.
New Minimum SEER Ratings for AC Units
These minimums include: Split system air conditioner less than 4.5 tons: 15 SEER (14.3 SEER2) Split system air conditioner more than 4.5 tons: 14.5 SEER (13.8 SEER2) Single packaged air conditioner: 14 SEER (13.4 SEER2)
SEER ratings for AC units and heat pumps have increased from 13 to 14 in northern states and 14 to 15 SEER in the South and Southwest regions of the country. In terms of heating efficiency, air-source heat pumps have increased from 8.2 to 8.8 HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor).
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.
The standards have to keep evolving as the technology does or else we'd be stuck in the figurative stone age with our heating and cooling solutions. That's why the United States Department of Energy or DOE has decided to discontinue production of air conditioners with a SEER rating of 14.
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.
The installation of systems using a regulated substance with a global warming potential of 700 or greater in specified sectors is allowed until January 1, 2026, provided that all system components are manufactured or imported before January 1, 2025.
Ducted AC Split Systems (or Mixed Ducted and Non-Ducted)
Individuals who purchase and place into service qualifying equipment between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024 may qualify for a non-refundable tax credit of up to $600 per system, subject to an annual limit of $1200 per taxpayer.
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.
Trane units are well-known for their durability, often outperforming competitors in longevity. This resilience is due to rigorous testing and high-quality materials, guaranteeing that your AC system can handle demanding conditions without frequent breakdowns.
Heat Pumps are Eligible for Incentives in 2025
Heat pump rebates and tax credits are a big reason why heat pumps are worth it in California. There are several incentives for heat pump installation in California in 2025.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The New Regulations
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.
It lined out a timeline to change the industry standard to a non-HFC refrigerant by January 1st, 2025. The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM) of 2020, which was signed by President Trump, cemented r410a's fate by mandating the EPA to reduce the production of HFCs by 85% over the next 15 years.
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.
How much does a new HVAC system cost for a 2,000 sq. ft. home? The costs range from $6,224 to $11,434, depending on the system type and installation requirements. Key factors include system size, type, efficiency, and local labor rates.
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.
According to the Kobie SEER Energy Savings Calculator, a 16 SEER unit uses about 13% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as a 14 SEER unit of the same size. That means that for every $100 you'd pay to run your 14 SEER unit, you could save $13 by upgrading to a 16 SEER unit.