What You Need to Know About the R410 Refrigerant Phase-Out
Although we may not think about it this way, air conditioning is a luxury that many people take for granted. Similarly, very few people put much thought into the impact these systems have on the environment and the entire planet. Now, more than ever, regulators and manufacturers are pushing to make the HVAC industry more energy efficient, while generating less waste, with the goal of protecting our planet. Part of this initiative will bring major changes to the use of refrigerants in residential and commercial air conditioning systems beginning in January of 2025.
R410 refrigerant has been used for many years to help cool homes and buildings, but unfortunately it contains high levels of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) known to deplete the planet’s Ozone layer. In the past, many regulations (including the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment) have been passed to contain global warming in relation to the negative effects that coolant can have on the planet.
In September 2021, the EPA released a detailed plan to drastically reduce HFC consumption between the years of 2022 through 2036. Beginning in 2025, the act produced by this initiative will prohibit using R410 refrigerant in HVAC systems across the country. This change comes in tandem with a new SEER requirement (known as SEER2), which increases energy efficiency standards for HVAC equipment produced in 2025 and later.
After R410 is completely phased out in January of 2025, it is also likely that new HVAC systems will have to be designed with sensors and other mechanisms to detect R410 refrigerant and prevent operation. In addition, the new refrigerant used (A2L) will be much more expensive. This, unfortunately, will cause the cost of new HVAC units to increase by as much as 25%.
If you are in the market for a new AC system, or your AC is over 10 years old, you may be in need of a replacement. We strongly encourage you to research and make the investment before this deadline. Delaying your purchase by only a few months could cost you thousands of dollars more! Take action today and give Davis Ford a call for a free quote. We’re here to help!