Did you hear the news? R-410A (the most common type of refrigerant used in the United States right now) is being phased down starting January 1, 2025. What does this mean for you?
Why Is R-410A Refrigerant No Longer Going to Be the Norm?
In 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production and import of R-22 refrigerant because it was damaging the ozone. R-22 was replaced with R-410A. R-410A is actually a blend of two things—R-32 and fire suppressant. That fire suppressant turned out to have a high level of Global Warming Potential (GWP). In an effort to protect the environment, the EPA is phasing down R-410A. Starting on January 1, 2025, HVAC systems using R-410A will no longer be produced. The refrigerant itself and the parts for these systems will still be made for a while, but production of them will slow year after year.
How Can You Tell What Refrigerant Your AC Uses?
Not sure if your air conditioner uses the newer refrigerants or not? Check for the data plate! There should be a sticker on the side of your unit. If you look at the sticker and see a flame symbol, you likely have R-32 or R-454B (the two options for newer refrigerants) because they are considered more flammable (more on this later, don’t panic!). If you don’t have a flame symbol, you have an older refrigerant.
Is There a Difference Between the Two New Refrigerants?
The two new refrigerants are R-32 and R-454B. R-32 is just one refrigerant on its own, but R-454B is a blend of refrigerants. Both function essentially the same. The difference is only noticeable to the technician working on your system, and even then, the difference is minimal.
Do I Need to Get a New HVAC Unit Now?
If your current heating and cooling system is working fine, there’s no reason to rush to get a new one. The main reason we wanna educate you on the phase-down of R-410A is just to prepare you for the future. Even though R-410A systems aren’t going to be manufactured anymore, parts for them will be (for some time), so we can still repair your current system when you need it. After some years though, these parts will get harder and harder to find (and will get more expensive), so eventually you’ll wanna consider installing a new system. But for now, don’t worry unless you’re already due for a new AC!
Are the New Units More Expensive to Run?
You shouldn’t notice a difference when you install an AC that runs on R-32 or R-454B. If anything, it’ll be more efficient than your previous system. The newer an air conditioner is, the more efficient it likely is (efficiency requirements get stricter every year).
Can Morris-Jenkins Still Service R-410A Systems?
We can still help you with your R-410A system! This whole process is a phase-down, which means it’s not all at once. So, while R-410A systems will no longer be made starting in 2025, the parts and refrigerant itself still will be (with decreasing amounts over the years). That means if you have an R-410A system and need repairs, we’ve got you covered!
Can Morris-Jenkins Still Install R-410A Systems?
Even though R-410A systems will no longer be produced as of January 1, 2025, we have a lot of those systems readily available for install! Because we’ll be able to maintain and repair them for years to come, we feel confident still offering those systems to families that want them.
Are the New Refrigerants More Flammable?
R-410A refrigerant is the same as R-32 refrigerant (one of the new ones that will be the norm in the future), but it has fire suppressant mixed in. That fire suppressant is what makes R-410A more harmful to the environment, but without it, technically refrigerant is more flammable. However, it’s LESS flammable than the natural gas and propane many homes use for their furnaces, water heaters, stoves, and even cars.
These new air conditioners have a mitigation system as an added security measure. This system uses a sensor that shuts the unit down if it senses a refrigerant leak.
And in case that wasn’t enough to ease any anxiety about it, these new systems also don’t use that much refrigerant. The amount in them isn’t enough to do catastrophic damage, even in the worst-case scenario. If we didn’t feel like these new systems were safe, we wouldn’t be installing them!
Morris-Jenkins Is Ready to Help!
Whether you’re ready to install a new heating and cooling system or you’re worried about being able to keep your current system running for years to come, we’re here for you! This phase-down of R-410A doesn’t have to be stressful for scary. The new systems are safe and efficient, and we’ll be ready to install yours when the time comes. In the meantime, we’re ready to help keep your current R-410A system running so your family stays comfortable at home!
