New HVAC Refrigerant in 2025: Significant Changes Are on the Horizon for HVAC Coolants.

Big changes are on the way for the heating and cooling business! Cooling systems transitioning from R-410a to newer refrigerants like R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant will be arriving in 2025. These new coolants are developed to be friendlier to the environment and satisfy revised regulations about global warming. But what does that mean for your current HVAC system and any new services?

This change will minimize the environmental footprint of our air conditioning systems. Beginning in 2025, new AC systems will utilize a a different class of refrigerants that more closely match with climate goals. If you're thinking about getting an AC replacement soon, this is the ideal time to investigate how these new refrigerants can impact your home's comfort.

Why Exactly Is R-410a Being Phased Out?

For a long time, R-410a was the preferred refrigerant for residential air conditioners because it worked so well. But studies showed that R-410a still negatively impacts global warming. In response, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented a plan back in 2021. The industry will gradually phase out R-410a to introduce refrigerants that are more environmentally friendly.

The HVAC industry has implemented changes like this before. When the industry moved away from using R-22 (commonly called Freon) to R-410a, homeowners like you had to adjust. And similarly, this transition will influence how systems are engineered as well as the best practices for HVAC maintenance. Both property owners and HVAC technicians should prepare for these new refrigerants if they want to continue enjoying the most secure, most energy-efficient cooling possible.

Which New Refrigerant Is Replacing R-410a?

The new batch of refrigerants fall under the new "A2L" classification and contain the newest R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant coolants. They're created to offer the same efficient cooling while substantially decreasing their global warming potential (GWP) compared to R-410a.

R-454B refrigerant is believed to be particularly effective due to its GWP being around 78% less than R-410a. While R-454B refrigerant is believed to be more flammable than R-410a, improvements to system manufacturing and maintenance practices will ensure servicing is just as safe to perform. Additionally, today's cooling systems using R-454B refrigerant are significantly more energy efficient, resulting in substantial savings on energy bills over time, especially if you stay on top of routine HVAC maintenance.

This transition isn't only about swapping out the refrigerant—it impacts the whole HVAC system because the properties of R-454B refrigerant make it not suitable for use in older systems. In time, every household and business using R-410a will have to upgrade to one of the new systems.

R-410a Replacement: How Can I Prepare to Transition to New HVAC Refrigerants?

Changing to the new refrigerants isn't as easy as swapping out the new coolants with what's used in your home's HVAC system. That's because the distinct properties of R-454B refrigerant and R-32 refrigerant mean you can't use the new refrigerants in a system designed to use R-410a.  But rest assured—you can continue to use your current R-410a system for now. Just keep in mind that as time progresses, the price of repairs and tune-ups will increase as R-410a becomes less available.

Anticipating the changes is the optimal way to manage things. If your AC system is already aging, this is the best time to think about investing in a newer model that uses the new R-454B refrigerant. Plus, the team here at ACE Solutions can assist you in making the transition with flexible options for HVAC replacement financing.

Which HVAC Refrigerant Is in My Air Conditioner?

Uncertain which refrigerant your AC system uses? In general, you can easily find this information by examining the label on your outdoor unit. This label indicates the type of refrigerant, the model number and many other details about your cooling system.

But if you can't read the label or can't find your user manual, don't stress! You can always connect with one of the professional technicians at ACE Solutions to help you in determining this information. Get all the information you need by giving us a call at 201-582-2806.