Introduction
“There’s nothing so stable as change”
Bob Dylan
Did Bob Dylan actually say that? Maybe. Maybe not. One thing he definitely did say was that the times they are a-changin’. We at Burkee Climate Control are fairly certain that he was talking about the upcoming 2025 changes for refrigerants being used in HVAC systems. Ok maybe not, but the changes coming in 2025 are still a big deal. They are sweeping and could have a significant impact for homeowners or anyone purchasing or repairing HVAC systems. HVAC experts like those at Burkee have a responsibility to help consumers understand and prepare for these changes, both the pros and the cons. Use this guide to aid you in making informed decisions about your systems and, one way or the other, feel better about the changes to come.
End of the Line: Why Is the Old Refrigerant Being Phased Out?
Why does anything need to change in the first place? Currently the most common refrigerant in AC units and heat pumps is R-410A. Starting in the 2010s and culminating with an official ban in 2020, R-410A replaced R-22 refrigerant, what we most commonly call Freon. There were several reasons for the ban but the primary reason was that it was shown to cause environmental damage, chiefly ozone depletion. We don’t claim to be scientists but we do know that we need the ozone layer, so fair play. Fast forward to today and as a result of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020, we are about to start a phased discontinuation of R-410A refrigerant, and guess what, it’s for very similar reasons. R-410A has a Global Warming Potential of 2,088 which is significantly higher than the limit being set for HVAC units manufactured in 2025 of 700. We are still not scientists, so in English, R-410A contributes to climate change more than the new limits will allow. And so we have to say goodbye. However, when one door closes another one opens, and we’ll have a few new refrigerant options in new units moving forward. Let’s meet refrigerants R-454B and R-32.
I Want You: What Refrigerant Will Be Used in 2025?
Starting in 2025 all newly manufactured residential HVAC systems will be required to use more eco-friendly refrigerants. Refrigerants R-454B and R-32 will be the leading candidates. So why these refrigerants, and is one better than the other? Let’s compare!
Composition & Maintenance
Like R-410A, R-454B is a blend of other refrigerants whereas R-32 is what is called a single component refrigerant. If you think a single component sounds more simplified then kudos to you, it is in fact a simpler compound to use. The components in blended refrigerants evaporate at different rates so when it comes time to recharge the system the refrigerant must go through a recovery process and then be recharged in its liquid state to prevent separation fractionation. Sound a little confusing? Well none of that is required when using a single component refrigerant, if more is needed it can just be added or charged in either the liquid or gas state. The increased maintenance complexity with R-454B increases the time it takes to carry out the maintenance which may lead to increasing costs.
Environmental Impact
The purpose of all of these changes is to reduce the negative impact on the environment. So which one does a better job of it? Going back to the measure Global Warming Potential (GWP), R-454B comes in at 466 and R-32 at 675, meaning that R-454B is better suited to environmental protection. However, both are significantly lower than the 2088 of R-410A, so does the difference between R-454B and R-32 really matter? One potential downside of the R-32 GWP score is that it is still close to the required threshold of 700 or less required by the new legislation. Does that put R-32 at risk of eventually being banned as well? We don’t have a crystal ball, but with next year’s change that will be two significant changes in the last 20 years so we can’t say it’s out of the question.
Capacity & Efficiency
Different sources evaluate different criteria but most agree that R-32 has a greater system capacity and higher system efficiency that R-454B. Also because R-32 is single component it doesn’t have temperature glide, which, for all non-HVAC experts, means that because the blended refrigerants have multiple components they change between liquid and vapor at different rates or temperatures. Put even more simply, the variations in the blend can lead to variations in performance. Phew. So R-32 is better. Not so fast! Proponents of R-454B say that the temperature glide between R-32 and R-454B specifically is negligible and that R-454B is more effective and efficient at delivering higher water temperatures at lower ambient air temperatures. So there is no clear winner here, which refrigerant will deliver the best capacity and efficiency will depend on the specific system in your specific environment.
In meeting the new refrigerants on the scene, you can see each refrigerant has its pros and cons. By now you’re probably asking yourself, what should I actually do about all this? Don’t worry we won’t leave you in the lurch, we have some helpful suggestions based on what may be important for you and your situation.
Handle With Care: What Does This Change Mean For You?
Now that we’ve shared the setting and the characters, it’s time to stage the play. What should homeowners or those in the market for HVAC systems do in response to the upcoming changes? First, it’s best not to panic anyone, you do not need to go out and replace any current systems as a result of this legislation. The changes only apply to units being manufactured and sold in 2025 and beyond. You will still be able to get current systems with R-410A serviced as well. These changes will have the biggest impact on those who are in the market or considering entering the market for new HVAC units. The decision becomes whether to buy a unit now that has the R-410A refrigerant or wait until next year and purchase a unit with the new refrigerant. Depending on your situation, there could be reasons why you’d decide either way.
Buy Now
Why would I buy today and get a unit with the old refrigerant? I thought the new ones were better for the environment? While the new refrigerants are undoubtedly better for the environment, that is not the only criteria that most of us are making our purchasing decisions based on. There are a couple main reasons that you might want to consider pushing ahead with purchasing a new HVAC system in 2024.
Cost Savings
Spending less money on household expenses, read as having more money in your pocket for fun stuff, is a very motivating factor in major purchases. Prices for new systems are expected to increase, with estimates saying that units could be as much as 30% more expensive. Additionally installing the new systems will be a newly trained process that requires additional safety precautions, meaning installations will take longer and as a result be more expensive.
Parts & Service
In the short term, there will likely be better access to R-410A parts than there will be for parts of the new systems. The parts are not compatible across systems that use other refrigerants and so the stockpile of parts that exists for current systems is greater the capabilities to produce the replacement parts for the new systems in the short term. For some, this means it may be better to schedule repairs to existing systems and avoid buying new systems altogether, but either scenario supports acting today. Now layer on top of this that HVAC technicians will be much more efficient at servicing the systems they are more familiar with as compared to the new systems at the outset. HVAC technicians are used to on-going learning but even when the comfort level with the new systems gets to the same point as that with the old ones, the new systems have added safety measures and equipment that aren’t needed with the current system. This will make the time it takes to service the new systems higher as well.
Buy Later
While buying a new HVAC system might be the right call for some, others will want to wait and purchase one of the new systems. The new systems provide a couple key benefits as well.
Environmental Considerations
It should be pretty clear by now that the new systems contribute significantly less to climate change than the systems with the current refrigerant. If you are an eco-conscious person then it’s a no-brainer to wait. These are the changes you’ve likely been waiting for.
Future Savings
We talked about the increased costs in the short term, but in the long term getting an HVAC system with one of the new refrigerants could save you money. We also talked about whether the R-32 refrigerant was more efficient than the R-454B and the answer was a firm maybe. While those two vie for first and second place, we can definitively say that R-410A comes in third. Both of the new refrigerants are more efficient which can provide cost savings on utility bills down the road. Similarly the short term benefit that is gained from having parts and service under the current refrigerant will actually be a detriment at some point in the future. Eventually the declining availability of R-410A refrigerant as well as the lack of production of parts for those systems will create scarcity meaning that eventually repair and replacement will be more expensive if possible at all. Not to keep bringing it up, but we don’t have a crystal ball, so just like we don’t know if legislation will change again, we don’t know at what point the scarcity of R-410A and the related systems will cause the pricing to shift. If you’d rather just not have to think about it, buy one of the 2025 systems.
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Regardless of whether you decide to buy now or buy later, change is coming. We can all agree that protecting the environment is a good idea, but we also can all agree that it isn’t the only criteria with which we as consumers make decisions. The goal for HVAC experts like those at Burkee Climate Control is to make sure that you are making the best decision for you and your family by providing guidance, sharing expertise, and being one call, click, or tap away when you need to turn plans into reality. Whether you want to discuss installing systems using the new refrigerant or need to take action while upfront costs are still cheaper and the R-410A systems are still available, your Comfort Professionals at Burkee are ready to help.