In the HVAC industry, there’s been a lot of discussion about refrigerants. Just nearly a decade ago, the nation phased out R22 refrigerant and transitioned to using R410A refrigerant. Unfortunately, R410A has also been shown to harm the environment, so it’s now also being phased out.
Why Is R410A Refrigerant Being Phased Out?
R410A has been determined to be a big contributor to the depletion of the ozone layer, leading to global warming. In fact, over 100 countries have signed a ban to outlaw the use of this particular refrigerant through the United Nations. The United States passed an act that allows the EPA to determine how to proceed with phasing out the R410A refrigerant.
According to their phase-out plan, the production of HVAC systems that use R410A refrigerant is to cease in January 2025. Any systems that are already manufactured but not installed have until 2026 to undergo installation. That means that in 2025, you’ll have a choice to install a system that uses R410A or one that uses one of the new refrigerants. Over the coming years, the allowable production amount of R410A refrigerant will be starkly reduced until it completely diminishes in 2040.
The biggest danger that is noted with R410A refrigerant is that it has a very high pressure. When an HVAC technician performs maintenance on a heat pump or cooling system or there is a leak, a large quantity of this refrigerant can enter the atmosphere. For this reason, it’s being replaced with refrigerant that operates with lower pressure, so a leak won’t quickly release all the refrigerant.
What’s Replacing R410A Refrigerant?
Two new refrigerants are replacing R410A: R32 and R454B. Refrigerants are classified based on flammability. R410A is an A1 refrigerant, which is generally not flammable. The new refrigerants are in category A2L. Both of these have a much lower global warming potential than existing refrigerants, but they are flammable if exposed to a flame.
The Impact on New System Pricing
New systems are increasing in price for several different reasons. The most obvious is that HVAC manufacturers had to redesign all their systems to accommodate these newer AL2 refrigerants. Another reason is that the new designs are mandated to have specific safety features to protect systems from emitting large amounts of refrigerant.
For example, all units need to be outfitted with leak detection sensors. These sensors are linked to the internal fan so that it can kick on whenever the sensor detects a leak. This helps to quickly disperse the refrigerant before it builds up in a confined space, as it can be very dangerous. Some new units even come with automatic shut-offs to help minimize leakage.
What Happens to R410A Systems
If you have a cooling system or heat pump that currently uses R410A refrigerant, you don’t have to do anything. You can continue to run your system until it reaches the end of its lifespan. It’s important to note that there is no conversion kit to switch your unit from using R410A to R32. It may be possible for some models that use R410A to convert to be able to use or R454B, but only a qualified HVAC professional should do this.
The EPA is phasing out the production of R410A refrigerant over the next 15 years. As the production diminishes, the price of the remaining supplies will increase. Whenever you need to recharge the refrigerant in your system, it’s likely going to get costlier and costlier to do.
Should You Upgrade to a System That Uses Newer AL2s?
If your existing cooling system or heat pump is over 10 years old, it may be time to think about upgrading your system. The newer systems with AL2 refrigerants are currently on the market for purchase. Upgrading will ensure that your system remains up-to-date and you can get the necessary refrigerant for recharging. By upgrading to one of these newer systems, you can enjoy knowing that your new system is less harmful to the environment.
Exceptional HVAC Installation Service
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