Big Changes for 2025
By now you probably have heard about all the changes coming to the HVAC industry in 2025. You may have even heard T.V. or radio commercials from heating and air companies warning you of big price increases on new equipment. Well, there are big changes coming, and those changes will have an affect on pricing. But this blog will hopefully ease your mind and help you understand the next steps.
WHAT ARE THE CHANGES? Global leaders have proposed to phase down refrigerants that have “Global Warming Potential” (GWP) as a part of the Kigali Amendment to the United Nation’s Montreal Protocol. The United States has not federally accepted this agreement, and only states with the U.S. Climate Alliance are endorsing the reductions. Therefore, California has moved to replace our current refrigerant of R-410A (which has a GWP of 2088) with new products that will accept R-454B refrigerant with a GWP of only 465.
Manufacturing of R-410A systems will no longer be allowed starting January 1, 2025. There will be a one-year sell through period for previously assembled systems. This means that your contractor (Sierra Valley Mechanical) can install residential and light commercial split systems until December 31st, 2025. This will undoubtedly created a market jump for the remaining equipment, since the price for the new R-454B products could jump up to 15% higher or more.
SO WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? R-454B will fall into a new classification of flammability and toxicity matrix -A2L (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers). The current refrigerant, R-410A, is categorized as a A1 and, while technically more flammable, both refrigerants have a much lower flammability and toxicity rate than natural gas or propane (A3). The biggest difference is that A2L refrigerants cannot be used in an existing A1 system under an circumstances.
DE-BUNKING THE MYTH -Is the new refrigerant highly flammable? A2L refrigerants, such as R-454B, are very hard to ignite and would require significant ignition energy. They can not be ignited by static electricity and would only burn with a velocity of 2.0 inches per second if ignition occurred.
Extensive testing has occurred with A2Ls and many heat sources- cigarettes, lighters, drills, and other household appliances- all with no ignition.
As an added precaution, some manufacturers will be adding a leak detection sensor and other mitigation procedures.
NOW WHAT? Don’t fret! You do not have to run out and buy a new system to match this refrigerant change just yet. However, let’s talk if your system is nearing the end of its life or struggled with this seasons temperatures. We may need to discuss your options to install a new system before these regulations take over the market and increase the costs significantly.
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