New EPA Refrigerant Regulations and How They Will Affect You!
We’re sure by now you’ve heard the buzz or read a headline somewhere about the new EPA refrigerant regulations. And if you’re asking yourself why you should care or why the industry is making this change, this is the source for you.
New EPA Refrigerant Regulations
Let’s get into it. In 2020, the AIM (American Innovation and Manufacturing) Act gave the US EPA authority to regulate hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Since the authority was granted, the EPA has requested and begun the phase-down of refrigerants with high HFCs and has a goal to reduce production of all units with HFCs by 85% by 2036. This is in an effort to reduce greenhouse gasses.
Currently, Michigan’s standard HVAC refrigerant for ducted systems is R-410A, which replaced the R-22 refrigerant. However, R-410A was recently deemed a contributor to global warming, which is the reason for the shift to R-454B and R-32, refrigerants with fewer Hydrofluorocarbons, and the push to move to R-454B and R-32 refrigerants by January 1, 2025.
New EPA Refrigerant Regulations
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are synthetic greenhouse gases that have been used in many applications such as AC, refrigeration, and insulation throughout the years. They are also used in solvents, flame retardants, and aerosols. Recently, these short-lived HFCs have been given the title of “super-pollutants” because they have a high global warming potential (GWP). This warning is a measure of how destructive a climate pollutant is. Refrigerants, such as R 410A, often have hundreds to thousands of times more impact on the climate than carbon dioxide. In fact, the GWP for carbon dioxide is 1, whereas the GWP for R-410A is 2,088.
HFCs were explicitly designed to replace ozone-depleting substances and the growing demand for cooling. They were thought to be less harmful to the earth’s protective ozone. However, recent studies have shown that these HFCs quickly build up in the atmosphere. And because HFCs are greenhouse gases, emitting them contributes to global warming.
We Know What You’re Thinking—All Of This Sounds Great. But What Are The Cons Of Switching To R454B?
Luckily, as a consumer, there isn’t too much to worry about when it comes to switching to R454B and R-32 systems. However, the major concern is the cost. Starting in 2025, customers can expect a 15-30% increase in the cost of newer units. However, that’s not all. Customers can also expect to pay more for servicing the new units, parts, and newly added sensors.
The other downside is that R-454B and R-32 are flammable and are classified as such. It falls under the category of A2L, which is a refrigerant classification for flammability and toxicity. A1, no, we’re not talking about the steak sauce, has no flame propagation and no toxicity. Whereas A3L has the highest Flammability on the scale. The classification of A2L means that while R-454B and R-32 are not highly flammable, they can still ignite under certain conditions, such as exposure to an open flame or very high temperatures. So, even in the event of ignition, the flames would likely burn slowly and self-extinguish. Nonetheless, because they are flammable, they require special handling, installation, and safety measures, including the potential use of leak detection systems, which can increase installation and repair costs due to equipment and training.
Does This Mean The HVAC System I Bought Last Year is Flawed? Do I Have To Buy a New One?
No, your system is perfectly good. In fact, you will be able to run your system and have it repaired as needed until it breaks down and is beyond repair. The downside is that years later, as R-410A is phased out, the availability of the refrigerant and the parts of the system will decrease, leading to higher prices for this refrigerant and associated parts. Consequently, the cost of servicing and repairing existing systems that use R-410A will likely increase. For consumers, this means that keeping older systems running could cost more over time.
Can I Still Buy R-410A Systems?
Yes. However, there’s a caveat. Supply and demand will take place here. Dealers can only sell what they have in inventory as of Jan 1, 2025. Meaning once it’s sold out, it’s gone. And with dealers looking to free up space in their warehouse for the newer systems, you could get a more significant deal on an R-410A system.
So What Should You Do With This Information?
All in all, the new R-454B and R-32 systems will have pros and cons, and costs will certainly increase. However, with that said, there are a lot of variables at play here. For starters, the R-454B units aren’t even being sold to dealers yet. And at the time of this article, they are still being tested. However, these units will be better for the environment and are said to help reduce utility costs.
But, if you don’t want to pay a higher price for what’s already an expensive purchase, there are plenty of perfectly good R-410A units available for purchase. However, they won’t be available for long. And it’s true what is said, prices will never be lower than they are today.
So, before you try to purchase the new systems, digest this information and understand that it is a trade-off. On one hand, you’ll likely be paying 15-30% higher costs than the R-410A systems. On the other hand, the new systems will be more efficient and better for the environment. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free in-home estimate for a new HVAC system, give us a call at 586-336-1111.
**It’s important to note that R-410A, although being phased out, won’t disappear overnight; this has been in the works since 2020 and won’t be fully phased out until after 2036.
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