Air conditioners are equipped with refrigerant, which is a type of chemical compound that absorbs heat to provide your home with cool air when it’s hot outside. Unless a leak occurs, the refrigerant in your air conditioner should last for the duration of the unit.
Over the years, standards have changed in the HVAC industry. The industry has moved from Freon to R-12 and R-22 because R-12 is a chlorofluorocarbon that depletes the ozone layer. In 2020, R-22 was replaced with R-410A because it contained chlorine, which is also known to deplete the ozone layer, which contributes to global warming. Now, R-410A is being phased out.
Why R-410A Refrigerant Is Being Phased Out
When R-410A was introduced to the market, many industry experts believed that it would be a long-term replacement for R-22. While the substance doesn’t damage the ozone layer, it can have some adverse effects.
For example, R-410A has a higher global warming potential (GWP) than R-22. GWP is the ability a greenhouse gas has to trap heat on the Earth. A substance with a high GWP will contribute significantly to global warming. Carbon dioxide (CO2) has a GWP of 1.0. In comparison, the GWP value for R-410A is 2088.
The EPA has decided to reduce the production of this refrigerant by 85% over 15 years. Some refrigerant manufacturers are responding by phasing R-410A out of production.
Current Phase-Out Timeline
Unlike R-22, the R-410A refrigerant isn’t ceasing production altogether. Homeowners will still be able to obtain this refrigerant if they have a leak and need to get a repair and refrigerant recharge. The R-410A phaseout timeline is given below:
- 2022: 10% reduction
- 2024: 30% reduction
- 2029: 30% reduction
- 2034: 10% reduction
- 2036: 5% reduction
Potential Refrigerant Replacements
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you can switch to an environmentally friendly refrigerant. There are several alternatives. When evaluating potential refrigerants, you’ll need to consider the number and letter that are included on the product’s label. For example, Class B refrigerants have some level of toxicity while Class A variants aren’t toxic. If you want a non-flammable refrigerant, it needs to be Class 1.
While manufacturers are currently testing many potential replacements, R-32 and R-454B will most likely follow R-410A. R-32 is one of the main ingredients in R-410A. It’s a pure refrigerant with a GWP of just 625, which is roughly 30% of the GWP for R-410A. R-32 has a higher capacity than R410A and is easier for HVAC technicians to work with. It’s considerably more efficient as well.
R-454B has a GWP of just 466. It’s nontoxic, and it has great thermal stability. The composition of R-454B is also very similar to R-410A, which is why it’s at the top of the list for potential replacements.
What You Can Expect From the Replacements
To begin with, you can expect that the majority of HVAC systems manufactured after 2025 will contain replacement refrigerant, and you will probably pay more for an HVAC system because of it. However, it’s expected to be more environmentally friendly and more efficient, which means that you may see your fuel bills decrease. On the other hand, older machines won’t be able to use the new refrigerant. So, if you need AC repairs on outdated equipment, you may find yourself paying more as the number of R-410A replacement units decreases and are harder to find.
When to Seek HVAC Repair or Replacement
You can continue receiving repairs or maintenance on air conditioners and HVAC systems that use R-410A refrigerant for the foreseeable future. However, if repairs become too expensive, contact Top Air Heating & A/C to discuss the benefits of owning a new, more efficient HVAC system.
If refrigerant is leaking from your indoor HVAC unit, our team can find the source of the leak and repair it. We can also help you decide if it’s time to upgrade to a new HVAC system. At Top Air Heating & A/C, we have a comprehensive understanding of California’s HVAC regulations, which allows us to react quickly to any changes that might impact West Covina homeowners. Some additional services that are available at Top Air Heating & A/C include heating and cooling installation, indoor air quality, and ductwork.
Call Top Air Heating & A/C to request more information or to schedule an HVAC repair.
