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've been shopping around for a new HVAC system lately, you may have heard about the upcoming 2025 refrigerant change. This shift will see a phase-out of current refrigerants like R-410A, with newer, more eco-friendly options like R-454B and R-32 taking their place.
Big changes are coming to the HVAC industry starting January 1, 2025, due to new EPA regulations on refrigerants. These rules aim to reduce environmental impact but could significantly affect how consumers buy or repair HVAC units. The EPA will require refrigerants with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) below 700.
When Will R-410A Be Phased Out Completely? The complete phase-out of R-410A will likely occur by 2036, when HFC consumption is expected to be reduced by 85%. However, businesses should prepare well in advance, as the restrictions beginning in 2025 will already limit its use significantly.
If you replace your AC after the phaseout begins in January 2025, your costs could increase by as much as 30%. This is because it's more expensive for manufacturers to produce HVAC systems that use the new refrigerants.
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.
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.
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 Benefits of Replacing Your AC Before the Phase-Out Deadline. With the phase-out of R-410A approaching, many experts recommend replacing aging AC systems before the January 2025 deadline, primarily to avoid potential cost increases and shortages.
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.
The New Refrigerants
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.
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.
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.
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.
The air conditioning refrigerant Freon has been banned in the U.S. since January 2020, prompting major changes in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry. You can still use an older air conditioning system that uses Freon, but maintaining and repairing one is growing increasingly expensive.
The Lennox choices for 2025 Compliant Refrigerant R-454B for whole-home systems and R-32 for mini-splits, both have a lower GWP than the previous refrigerant and are formulated to provide excellent, reliable performance of your system for years to come.
The 2020 American Innovation and Manufacturing Act directed manufacturers to make air conditioners that use A2L refrigerant starting January 1, 2025. Because of that, air conditioners had to be redesigned to accept the new refrigerant, which is considered slightly flammable.
While the exact amount of the HVAC price increases in 2025 is still unclear, industry experts predict that the cost of HVAC units could rise by as much as 30%. This includes the price of both residential and commercial systems.
On average, you can only expect about 15 years of reliable service from a central AC system. And that's only if you maintain your system well. So, if your home has an AC that's 20 years old or older, it's likely living on borrowed time. Here are all the reasons to replace your home's 20-year-old air conditioner.
R-410A PHASE-DOWN TIMELINE
In 2024, we will jump to a 40% decrease in production. 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 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.
Changes to the Dangerous Goods Legislation, effective in 2021, has new categories for A2L refrigerants. R32 is a synthetic greenhouse gas. If released to the atmosphere it can contribute to climate change. R32 is a flammable refrigerant.
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.
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).
The limited supply and more complex manufacturing process of R454B compared to its predecessor R410A contribute to its higher cost. Estimates suggest R454B could be over three times more expensive than R410A (Logan Services Inc.).