Absolutely! 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 of reducing production of all units with HFCs by 85% by 2036. This is in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases.Â
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. With this new refrigerant come new hardware and software requirements. Because of this, manufacturing costs will increase, causing the price of the newer HVAC system to increase.Â
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 to service the new unit parts and newly added sensors. Â
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