Everything You Need to Know About 2025’s AC Refrigerant Changes

Confused by AC Refrigerant Changes? Here’s What You Need to Know

The Basics of Evolving AC Refrigerant Rules

Changes are coming to the world of air conditioning refrigerants. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it happened before and not long ago.

In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned the primary refrigerant at the time, known as R22. It was known to have the ability to damage the ozone layer and was phased out in favor of environmentally friendly refrigerant options.

The aftermath of that change saw R-410A rise to the top of the residential refrigerant landscape. However, that is now also on the chopping block. There are now new refrigerant options with a much lower Global Warming Potential than R-410A, so the EPA is updating its rules again. Those interested in learning more should check out this excellent resource.

The New Options - R-454B and R-32

So, what’s going to take the place of R-410A in Grapevine? The frontrunners are R-454B and R-32. There is currently no way to retrofit existing air conditioner units to use the new refrigerants. To use them, you’ll need to install a new cooling system.

Three Reasons You Should Care

Dismissing these changes as something you don’t need to worry about would be easy. After all, you probably don’t work in the HVAC industry. So what’s the big deal if the underlying refrigerant being used in AC systems changes?

You may not need to be an expert on the topic, but you may find understanding what’s happening and why helpful. Specifically, certain factors may significantly impact your life, making this knowledge more valuable than you thought.

1. Recharging Refrigerant Issues

   You shouldn’t be using an air conditioning system that requires regular recharging. If that is the case, you have a bigger problem, and AC repair or replacement may be in order. The cost of recharging an older unit with refrigerant will likely increase as R-454B and R-32 are phased in and R-410A is phased out.

2. Increased AC Installation Costs

   As new refrigerants are introduced to the market and new equipment becomes available, costs are expected to increase. This often occurs when new products are released. The same announcement that banned R-410A also placed additional safety requirements on manufacturers.

3. Environmental Concerns

   If you’re concerned about the environment, switching to a new refrigerant may be desirable. Please note that the first models may have a few bugs, just as new cars often do when introduced. In the grand scheme, however, working through these issues is a small price to pay for doing the earth some good.

Should You Replace Your Air Conditioner Now?

If your home already has an air conditioning system, you don’t have to make any changes. If you’d like to maintain the status quo, that’s a reasonable decision.

With that said, if you still have an old system utilizing R-22, it’s worth upgrading to an R-410A system before those are phased out. Currently, R-410A systems are still available at competitive prices. As time passes and more and more of the industry makes the required switch to R-32 and R-454B, these units will become harder to find.

A Few Potential Concerns

You don’t have to upgrade immediately, but that day will come. The longer you wait, the more likely a system with the newest refrigerant will be your only option. That could mean paying more upfront. These systems' additional complexity and safety standards will significantly increase their cost.

Systems running R-410A have been in use for many years and have proven reliable. Its successor, R-32, also has established a consistent track record. The latest option, R-454B, is still proving its long-term reliability. When spending significant money on a new air conditioner, you may feel more comfortable spending less on a system that uses a more proven refrigerant.

Trust AC & Heat Solutions to Guide Your AC System into the Future

We understand that these refrigerant changes can be confusing or even overwhelming. But they don’t need to be. Make the best decision for your next air conditioning system in Grapevine by working with the experts at AC & Heat Solutions. Our cooling technicians can answer your questions, discuss your options, and help you select the right unit for you.