New Refrigerant 2025: FAQ for Homeowners

Just finding out about the new refrigerant rules for 2025? Wisconsin’s Master Tradesman answers relevant questions from homeowners and HVAC customers.

Almost five years ago, a law passed in the US that would permanently change things for anyone with an A/C system. It’s called the AIM Act, and pretty soon,  it’s going to determine what kind of air conditioners you’ll be able to buy.

What is the AIM Act, and how does it affect you?

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act represents a long-term plan to reduce the emission of certain gasses used in air conditioning.

• As a part of this plan, R-410A refrigerant will be gradually phased out of production.
• The objective is to replace it entirely with A2L refrigerants over time.
• Starting in 2025, HVAC manufacturers can no longer make equipment that requires R-410A.

→ Why get rid of R-410A?

According to our Master Tradesman, this isn’t the first refrigerant phase-out Team Austin has witnessed—and it probably won’t be the last.

Remember how R-22 refrigerant got the boot back in 2010? That’s when R-410A was introduced as the “next big thing”. The reason then was the same as the reason now: for the sake of transitioning to an environmentally-safer alternative.

-Eric Smith, CEO of Austin Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric in Wisconsin

So there you have it. For the record, R-410A was a massive improvement over its predecessor. It boasted an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of zero, which was pretty cool—but also scored a whopping 2,090 in Global Warming Potential (GWP). The EPA was always looking for a solution to that second part, and with A2Ls, they found their answer.

Choosing Between Available A2L Refrigerants

The A2L refrigerant class actually includes two options so far: refrigerants R-454B and R-32. When retooling, some American manufacturers went with the former, while others took after Europe in adopting the latter. Both meet the new guidelines, but we imagine profit-driven manufacturers will come up with a few more by the time all’s said and done.

→ Which refrigerant is better (and why is it R-32)?

We’ve always been about giving straight answers at Team Austin, so let’s go ahead and tear off the bandaid: We’re partial to R-32. Here are our reasons:

• It has withstood the test of time (even if you’re just now hearing about it).
• R-32 is a pure refrigerant (confirmed), while R-454B is rumored to contain forever chemicals.
• R-32 is the first choice of the largest manufacturers, which makes it the more convenient choice for consumers in the long-term.
• It’s a regularly-traded commodity, so we can predict stable pricing over time (relative to the price of R-454B).
• The supply (and therefore the price) of R-454B is largely controlled by a handful of manufacturers.

Should you replace your HVAC system before or after the change?

You want to comply with the new guidelines, but you want to do it in a smart way. So…should you replace your HVAC system before the A2L requirement hits? Or is it better to just wait until 2025, when you can have an A2L-based system installed?

Well, it depends. Keep in mind:

• • Equipment prices will rise (more on that below).

• • There will inevitably be some manufacturing issues. It always takes time for manufacturers to work out all the kinks before a new product becomes reliable.

• • All HVAC techs will effectively become greenhorns. Just as the manufacturers will require time to adjust, technicians also have a bit of a learning curve ahead of them.

• • An AC that uses R410A presents the best value over the next 20 years, even if it will eventually become obsolete.
    

• • New technology, new problems. A2L refrigerants are slightly flammable (although considered safe to use), which calls for more safety controls, which means additional points of failure from a mechanical engineering standpoint.

Master Tradesman’s recommendation: If your system is already nearing the end of its life, consider replacing it now. R-410A will remain in production and circulation for several years, so you’ve got quite some time before you’ll have to worry about being unable to find a compatible refrigerant.

How will this affect the price of AC replacement in the future?

Prices are expected to increase by at least 10% and possibly up to 30%. That’s a pretty big deal when you’re looking at making a four-digit purchase.

Without getting into whether or not we agree with any of them…here are some of the reasons we expect to see prices climb:

• • This change comes at a huge cost to the manufacturers. Think about…
    • Research, design, prototypes, and patents
    • Complete retooling of the manufacturing process
    • New safety standards and modifications required
    • Basic supply and demand principles

• • Opportunity.
    Frankly, because it’s easy to hide behind a “forced change”, many extra fees will likely get laid into the cost of new equipment for consumers. To put it another way: “Because they can.” (Unfortunately.)

• • More components.
    Several additional control boards and safety switches are required to make the new AC systems work. Each additional component adds to the overall cost of the system.

For an A/C that uses one of the new A2L refrigerants, homeowners are looking at shelling out an additional $1,200 minimum. If you know you need a new AC, your best bet is to replace it now while you still have the choice.

Answering More Customer Questions About the Change to A2L

• When will air conditioners that use the new refrigerant be available to buy?

This will vary by region, manufacturer, and system type—but most manufacturers will not start shipping their new equipment until they’ve expended all of their old stock. In Wisconsin, we don’t expect to get the equipment that uses the new refrigerant on a consistent and regular basis until about Q3 of 2025. And that’s not a bad thing, either!

• Will my current HVAC system need to be replaced immediately?

Nope! If your existing system is doing just fine, and especially if it wasn’t installed that long ago, then feel free to continue using it for now. In fact, you’ll still be able to get it serviced for years to come. The new refrigerant rules only apply to newly manufactured equipment starting in 2025.

• If I replace my AC now, will R-410A still be available for repairs or recharges?

Yes, R-410A will still be available for maintenance and repairs for many years. R-410A won’t actually be phased out of production until the 2040s. Also, contractors can still reclaim and reuse refrigerant from older systems. This means R-410A will be available, and we’ll be able to service these units easily for the next 20 years.

• How can I prepare for these changes?

If your HVAC system is nearing the end of its life, consider replacing it now to take advantage of current prices. HVAC Financing options, rebates, and tax credits can help make this upgrade a lot more affordable. Regular A/C maintenance can also extend the life of your current system and keep it running efficiently.

• I heard the new refrigerant is “mildly flammable”. Are the new HVAC systems going to be safe?

Likely one of the largest knocks on this change is the fact that all A2L refrigerants are mildly flammable. Ideas and opinions are flying all over the HVAC world about what exactly that means, but based on all of our training as well as our research of the available facts, your safety comes down to the company installing your A/C. As long as the system is installed correctly, by people who are properly trained, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. 🙂

Everyone can benefit from having an HVAC system check-up before the new year!

If you only remember one thing from this article, it should be this: Just because the old refrigerant will be around for a while doesn’t mean older A/C units or furnaces will necessarily last. Not sure what decision to make? Just book an appointment with one of our technicians. We’ll make sure you and your system are good to go—for years to come.