Category: Refrigerant

R410A Refrigerant Phase-Out

AC TruthLeave a comment

R410a Refrigerant Phase-Out per Federal Government (EPA) Ozone Layer Protection

Starting as soon as January 1, 2025, restrictions will take effect on the use of higher-GWP HFCs in new 1) aerosols, 2) foams, and 3) refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump equipment.

R410A is a hydrofluorocarbon chemical (HFC) known to be a greenhouse gas with global warming potentials (GWPs). The EPA is phasing down U.S. production and consumption for said environmental purposes under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, due to the increased use of HFCs over the years.

Overview of refrigerant phase-out and leakage of refrigerant from your air conditioning system:

Leakage: Fact–Since your air conditioning system has a sealed refrigerant circuit, it should never leak.

If you are told leakage is “normal,” this statement is a lie.

If you are told that it’s “against the law” to add refrigerant, this is also a lie.

Refrigerant leak dilemma!

  1. The first thing that happens with a small leak in your system is its inability to properly dehumidify. You’ll find yourself lowering your thermostat to compensate, which drives your power bill up.
  2. As more leakage occurs, your system will start to lose the ability to cool, while it begins to run longer—driving your power bill even higher.
  3. As more leakage occurs, your evaporator coil will freeze up and the coil will turn into a block of ice—which now blocks airflow. When it finally thaws, the excess water can damage ceilings and your personal property.
  4. The worst hasn’t happened yet; you could destroy your compressor.
  5. Find the leak, repair the leak, and have the technician recharge the system to the proper manufacturer’s requirements. If you have an R410a refrigerant system, it will become very, very expensive. Due to government regulations, the cost of R410a is continously increasing.

If your system has developed a refrigerant leak, NOW may be a good time to begin planning for a new, more efficient R32 or R454b refrigerant product. This is the latest refrigerant becoming available, in place of R410a.