A well-maintained HVAC system in your building can last fifteen to twenty years or even more if you take care of it properly—so when it’s time to shop for a new system, it’s not surprising to find that technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since the last time you installed, upgraded, or retrofitted your HVAC. In particular, if you’re shopping for a new HVAC system now, you might be surprised to learn that modern systems use new refrigerants specially formulated to maximize performance while minimizing environmental footprint.
New commercial HVAC regulations and higher standards for sustainability among Colorado businesses means more of our commercial and industrial customers have questions on their minds about this refrigerant phase-out and what it means for their businesses—and the experts at Chiller are here to answer. We’ll explain what the problem was with the old refrigerant, the reason for these HVAC refrigerant changes to low-GWP (global warming potential) alternatives, and the implications of this switch for Colorado businesses.
Understanding the R-410A Refrigerant Phase-Out
Since 2009, many air conditioning and heat pump systems have used Freon™ 410A (R-410A) refrigerant, a high-performance, high-efficiency refrigerant that replaced R-22 refrigerant. At the time when R-410A refrigerant was introduced, it was far more efficient and environmentally sustainable than R-22—in particular, it was non-ozone-depleting and boasted up to 60% greater capacity.
But every new technology becomes obsolete eventually, and R-410A had its time in the sun. In 2020, the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 mandated a phase-out of this refrigerant in favor of newer, more efficient, and even more environmentally friendly refrigerants such as R-32 and R-454B.
Why is R-410A refrigerant being phased out?
While R-410A was more environmentally friendly than its predecessor, it still had some problematic characteristics of its own that necessitated its phase-out. In particular, it still had a very high GWP—or Global Warming Potential. While its ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) was zero, in accordance with standards set by the Montreal Protocol, its GWP was a whopping 1890—which means it had nearly 1,900 times the Global Warming Potential of carbon dioxide!
As a result, even small refrigerant leaks could have large negative impacts on the environment. And because it operates at such high pressures, maintenance and repair work carries increased risk of environmentally harmful leaks.
When are new refrigerant changes coming?
AIM’s new HVAC regulations set a timetable of several years for HVAC manufacturers to shift to new refrigerants for their product lines, with the R-410A refrigerant phase-out process ongoing until 2025, when the use of this refrigerant becomes prohibited. While old HVAC systems can still be operated and serviced, new HVAC systems sold after this date should have sensors to detect the presence of R-410A and prevent operation if new refrigerants aren’t being used. By the 2030s, R-410A should be completely phased out.
Introducing the A2L Family: Today’s New HVAC Refrigerants
Now that we’ve established why these HVAC refrigerant changes were needed in the first place, let’s look at what’s changing—in particular, what the new refrigerants taking R-410A’s place bring to the table. R-410A is being replaced by A2L refrigerants, which are a class of refrigerants notable for their low toxicity, low flammability, and low GWP while also being more energy-efficient.
A2L refrigerants, which are currently widely used across Europe and Japan, are a safer, more sustainable, and more cost-effective alternative to previously widely used HVAC refrigerants. Some of these refrigerants include:
R-32 Refrigerant
Colorless, odorless, and mildly inflammable with a GWP of 675, R-32 is both efficient and low-impact. From a performance standpoint, it is similar to R-410A with added improved efficiency, in addition to its significantly reduced negative environmental impact.
R-452B Refrigerant
This HVAC refrigerant provides up to 5% energy efficiency improvement over R-410A with a GWP of 676—roughly 66% lower than R-410A. Some HVAC manufacturers see this as more of a transitional refrigerant between R-410A and other A2L class refrigerants like R-454B.
R-454B Refrigerant
This refrigerant is the most recently developed R-410A replacement and the most promising from an environmental impact and efficiency standpoint. It is a blend of R-32 and other refrigerant types to deliver a GWP of only 467–78% lower than R-410A—with 2-3% more energy efficiency. Like R-32, it behaves very similarly to R-410A, which means there’s a more gentle and manageable learning curve for HVAC technicians.
What New Refrigerant Standards Mean For Your HVAC… and Your Business
Like any regulatory shift, these new refrigerant changes take time to go into effect. Manufacturers have had ample time to prepare and implement the phase-out demanded by the AIM Act’s new commercial HVAC regulations, and businesses have plenty of time to catch up.
As of January 1, 2025, you aren’t able to purchase new residential or light commercial HVAC systems that use R-410A refrigerant. If your existing system still uses R-410A, you aren’t going to be forced at gunpoint to replace it—however, as production of R-410A decreases and stockpiles dwindle, servicing older systems will become more expensive.
Updating your HVAC systems when the time comes might also prove to be more labor- and resource-intensive—existing R-410A systems cannot be retrofitted to use new refrigerants like R-454B, so businesses with older equipment will likely need full system replacements.
New residential and commercial buildings and HVAC installations, meanwhile, will have to adhere to new building codes that will require A2L-ready ventilation, safety systems, and leak detection.
Phase-outs of old technologies in favor of newer, more sustainable options always come with some increased upfront investments in financial and human capital, but with the efficiency gains provided by new refrigerants, modern HVAC systems should provide savings on energy bills and operational costs over their lifetimes to more than make up for it.
How to Prepare for Upgrading Your HVAC System
- Audit HVAC Systems: Identify R-410A units and plan replacements strategically.
- Budget for Equipment Upgrades: Factor in the higher cost of A2L-compliant units for your building.
- Work with Certified HVAC Contractors: Ensure the HVAC technicians you rely on are trained to work with A2L refrigerants.
- Stay Updated on Colorado Regulations: Additional state and local regulations on HVAC efficiency and sustainability may add further restrictions.
Upgrade Your HVAC Systems with Confidence with Chiller Systems Service
Since 1997, Chiller Systems Service has helped businesses across the Colorado Front Range raise their standards for industrial and commercial climate control and ventilation. From system recommendations to installation to ongoing maintenance and upgrades, we help business owners achieve best-value, turnkey HVAC solutions that make the most of the latest technological innovations and fit their buildings like a glove.
If you have any further questions about the new HVAC refrigerants being used in modern systems and what the best path forward is to meet higher sustainability standards, we’re just an email or phone call away!