What the 2025 Refrigerant Change Means For You

A major change is on the horizon for HVAC systems in 2025.  To comply with newly mandated environmental regulations, R-410A (which is the current standard refrigerant in HVAC systems nationwide) will begin to phase out in 2025.  It will be replaced by R-454B and R-32 refrigerants which are classified as low GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants.

History of refrigerants in the United States

  1. R-22 Introduced
  2. R-410A Introduced
  3. R-22 Phased Out
  4. R-454B Introduced
  1. R-22 Introduced
    1930s

    R-22, also known as Freon, was introduced in the 1930s and quickly became the standard refrigerant used in most air conditioning and household freezers. It was later found to contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer.

  2. R-410A Introduced
    1990s

    Initially invented in 1991, R-410A became the standard refrigerant used in the HVAC industry in 2010. All new equipment manufactured after this point, must use R-410A refrigerant.

  3. R-22 Phased Out
    2010 to 2020

    R-22 becomes obsolete in 2010 and becomes harder to find and more expensive over time. Manufacturers stop producing it in 2020. Homeowners who have an R-22 system started replacing them during this time due to the excessive cost to repair them.

  4. R-454B Introduced
    2025

    All new HVAC systems manufactured in 2025 must use a low GWP (global warming potential) refrigerant (both R-32 and R-454B are low GWP refrigerants). The cost of redesigning and retooling the manufacturing equipment will likely be transferred to the consumer through higher prices. R-410A will continue to be used to support existing systems being used around the country.

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What Does Refrigerant Do?

Refrigerant enables your air conditioner or heat pump to provide comfortable temperatures inside your home. Refrigerant transfers heat from outside air into your home during the winter and transfers heat from inside your home to the outside during the summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

As the Go-To Experts in the Palmyra area, we are committed to making sure you know all that you need to know about the 2025 refrigerant change.

Will my current R-22 or R-410A system stop working?

No.  If the unit is working today, there is nothing about this regulation change that will make your system stop working, but if your system does stop working (because of lack of maintenance or a failed component) repairing it may become impossible or costly.  Repairs on R-22 systems are already cost prohibitive.

Will I need to buy a new heating and cooling system?

Not necessarily.  If your current R-410A system is functional and is still under a warranty, you should probably keep it, but if it is out of warranty or has been operating poorly recently, it may be time to consider an upgrade as new systems in 2025 will be more expensive than the ones available in 2024.

Why should I buy a R-410A system now?

R-410A systems are less expensive now than the new low-GWP systems will be in 2025 and they may not be any less efficient operationally.  The features currently offered are similar or the same as the ones offered next year.  The only difference between the current systems and the future systems is potential long term environmental impact of the refrigerants they use.

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