Trane and the refrigerant transition We're adopting the R-454B refrigerant for use in newly manufactured residential cooling products. R-454B has already demonstrated exceptional performance during Trane's field trials in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge.
All new systems will use either R-32 or R-454B HVAC Refrigerant, replacing the older R-410A version. It might seem like a great bother until you understand the purpose of these refrigerants. Air conditioners and heat pumps use a principle called heat transfer, illustrated by an ordinary popsicle.
In 2010, the U.S. stopped the sale of newly manufactured residential air conditioning units and heat pumps that use R-22 because of its particularly harmful impact on the ozone layer when released into the air. On January 1, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production and import of R-22.
If your unit was manufactured past 2010, you may have more economically wise repair options available. Manufacturers, after this date, incorporated R-410a, or Puron, as an alternative. Units that were manufactured before the year 2010, generally used R22 refrigerant.
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.
Trane is phasing in the transition to R-454B in 2024, starting with the adoption of R-454B refrigerant in its residential products, beginning with the XR15 SEER2 heat pump.
R454B: slightly lower capacity than R410A but better efficiency; lower GWP. R32: better efficiency and around 10% more capacity than R410A, depending on the application and system design.
The pressure can become high enough for parts of the system to rupture. At the very least, leaks will occur.
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.
Understanding the Current HVAC Refrigerant Guidelines
Most HVAC brands have started to swap out their older AC and heat pump units over the year, preparing for the 2025 deadline, when they will have to completely stop the production of systems with R-410A.
In general, air conditioners that are properly maintained can last 15 to 20 years.
R-22 refrigerant prices range from $90 to $250 per pound. Since you'll need between 6 and 12 pounds to refill a home AC, costs can reach between $660 and $2,400 for a refill of R-22 refrigerant.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned R22 freon in the country. Why? R22 contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer – which absorbs the ultraviolet radiation from the sun and protects us from its harmful effects – and the ecosystem in general.
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.
R32 is not suitable as a drop-in replacement for R410A and must only be used in systems specifically designed for R32.
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.
A Question of Supply and Demand
Therefore, maintenance people and air conditioning system specialists have less supply and are charging more for it. Some businesses have even reported thefts targeting their Freon canisters thanks to its newfound value. After 2020, R-22 won't be produced at all in the United States.
To retrofit an R-22 system with R-410A system your line set must not be more than 25-50 feet in total distance. If the line set is longer than this, you will have to replace the line set with larger lines.
Regulatory Changes: As the phase-out continues to restrict production levels and importation, the R-410A price will likely increase. Manufacturing Costs: Fluctuations in the cost of raw materials and manufacturing can also influence the price of refrigerants.
When you replace an air conditioner or heat pump and upgrade from R-22 to R-410A, the ideal solution is to replace your refrigerant lines. This is because the mineral oil used in R-22 systems is not compatible with the new R-410A refrigerant and oil.
Since the pressure generated by R410a refrigerant is 1.6 times that of R22 refrigerant, it requires that the copper tube has a large density, strong compressive resistance, high copper tube cleanliness and uniform copper tube wall thickness, so the air conditioning system of R410a refrigerant must use special R410a ...
When retrofitting an HVAC system, drain all existing refrigerant from the system before adding a new refrigerant. Never mix refrigerants, or "top off" a system running on R-22 with a 400-Series blend.
Countless Hours of Research for High-Performance, Low GWP Alternatives. Trane is taking a phased refrigerant transition approach for 2024, kick-starting with the adoption of R-454B refrigerant in its residential products, beginning with the 15 SEER2 heat pump.
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.
Cost: Systems that use R-454b will likely be more expensive due to specialized tools and installation procedures. Maintenance: Homeowners may face more frequent sensor issues with R-454b systems, especially in the early stages of its adoption.