As we get ready to welcome in 2025, we also say goodbye to the manufacture of R-410A heating and cooling equipment. As of January 1st 2025, R-454B and R-32 will be the new refrigerants, while R-410A begins its phase out stage.
The phase out of R-22 was a bit easier since R-410A equipment was already available for quite a few years. Even so, there was a learning curve with R-410A practices and procedures that both manufacturers and HVAC technicians needed to work through. This time around it will basically be the end of one refrigerant and the introduction of another.
Even though manufacturers will no longer be able to produce R-410A equipment, we will be able to purchase and install existing stock for one year residential and 3 years commercial. On the flip side of this, some R-410A equipment is already no longer available. A few manufacturers have switched over to solely producing R-454B and R-32 units, so it has been hit or miss on obtaining certain R-410A equipment. R-410A refrigerant itself will be available for many years to come, so repairs on existing units won’t be an issue.
So, why do refrigerants get phased out? R-22 left the scene due to determining that it harms the ozone layer. R-410A does not contribute to ozone depletion, although it does have a high GWP (Global Warming Potential). R-454B and R-32 does not have an impact on the ozone layer and also has a GWP of about four times less than R-410A. Preserving our planet is a good thing!
Since R-454B and R-32 are mildly flammable, extra safety devices will need to be incorporated into new units. Most likely this will be in the form of refrigerant leak sensors which will inform the indoor fan to run continuously to dissipate the refrigerant, resulting in no operation of cooling or heating.
What this all boils down to is there are still a few unknowns. What we do know is the new refrigerants will have a greatly reduced GWP, ozone depletion isn’t even a talking point compared to R-22, and efficiency of the new units should be excellent. The bad news at this time will be that availability of both R-410A and R454/R32 units does not seem promising for the near future and costs will rise 15-30% due to equipment changes and install practices. Let’s try and plan accordingly to make this transition as smooth as possible.