Since the introduction of cooling systems into the residential sector, various refrigerants have been used. Unfortunately, some have turned out to be harmful to the environment. We’re going to walk through the various refrigerant types and take a look at what’s in store for the future of HVAC systems.
What Is Refrigerant?
Refrigerant is used in both central air conditioning systems and heat pumps. Initially a liquid, this substance absorbs heat from the air or soil, depending on the particular system it’s working in. In all cases, refrigerant starts in a liquid form and turns into a gas as it absorbs heat. As heat is removed from the refrigerant, it turns back into a liquid state.
A Look at R22 Refrigerant
R22 refrigerant was developed in the 1930s and is considered a hydrochlorofluorocarbon or HCFC compound for short. It became the standard refrigerant used in all home and heat pump systems. However, over time scientists discovered that the chlorine inside of this HCFC compound was damaging to the environment.
More specifically, it was shown to contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer that protects the earth from the harmful rays of the sun. Because of this information, R22 refrigerant and other HCFC compounds are required to be phased out of the HVAC marketplace thanks to the global Montreal Protocol from the United Nations.
In the United States, the EPA created a phase-out plan that was implemented to ban the production of all R22 products by 2020. Because of this ban, HVAC manufacturers had to develop alternative refrigerant technologies. This required extensive work and time to help accommodate changes to the substance’s characteristics and to redesign HVAC systems to utilize new refrigerants.
The Introduction of R410A Refrigerant
The replacement that was chosen by HVAC system manufacturers to replace R22 refrigerant is R410A refrigerant. This new refrigerant is more energy efficient, which means lower utility bills for homeowners. The big difference between R22 and R410A refrigerants is that the latter doesn’t harm the ozone layer. Many HVAC manufacturers switched back in 2015 to producing units with R410A refrigerant.
Unfortunately, R410A refrigerant is now transitioning into being banned for one main reason. This type of refrigerant operates at a much higher pressure than the previous R22 refrigerant. This increases the amount of refrigerant that can leak out during normal AC maintenance and repair work. Unfortunately, 410A refrigerant has a high global warming potential and with more of it being able to seep out due to the higher pressure, it isn’t considered an environmentally friendly refrigerant.
Just like with the phase-out of R22 refrigerant, the phase-out of R410A refrigerant is going to take some time as well. The EPA has set a reduction in allowable production standards spanning over the next two decades to successfully phase out this type of refrigerant. Production should be eliminated by 2040.
The Transition to R32 and R454B Refrigerants
To replace the existing R410A refrigerant, HVAC manufacturers have come up with two main alternatives. There are R32 and R454B refrigerants. Both of these refrigerants have been determined to be more sustainable in regard to global warming and provide zero depletion of the ozone layer. Both of these refrigerants are classified in a category known as AL2s.
R454B refrigerant is a blended substance that does require regular recharging like with R410A refrigerant. On the other hand, R32 refrigerant is a pure single compound, which makes it much easier to recharge in the field without any worry about composition changes. Plus, R32 refrigerant can be reclaimed and reused, which makes it more eco-friendly.
Both refrigerants are considered to be mildly flammable. However, they must come into contact with an external flame to ignite. Once the flame is removed, the refrigerant will stop burning. This makes both types of refrigerants highly safe for residential usage.
The January 2025 Deadline
The EPA has specified that all HVAC systems that rely on R410A refrigerant must cease production by January 2025. Pretty much all HVAC manufacturers have switched to include either the R32 or R454B refrigerants. Using a system that’s already installed with R410A refrigerant is still legal. In fact, homeowners can continue to use systems that operate on R410A refrigerant freely. HVAC repair technicians can still gain access to a wide supply of R410A refrigerant for recharging existing systems.
One of the most noticeable problems will be that the supply of R410A refrigerant will diminish over the coming decades. As supplies start to decrease due to a lack of production, the price of obtaining R410A refrigerant is going to drastically increase. If you’re currently in the market for a new central air conditioning system or heat pump for your home, you’ll want to ensure that it comes with one of the newer refrigerants.
It’s also crucial to note that HVAC systems that use currently R410A refrigerant can’t be converted to use one of the newer R32 or R454B refrigerants. If you want your HVAC system to use a newer refrigerant, you’re going to have to purchase a brand-new HVAC system for your home.
New System Effects
HVAC systems that are produced to run on R32 or R454B refrigerants are going to be costlier than systems that run on R410A refrigerants. This higher upfront cost is associated with the increased cost of redesigning systems to run on the newer refrigerant types.
As these systems undergo redesigning, manufacturers are adding more safety features to enhance the overall safe operation of residential HVAC systems. An example of this is the installation of a leak detection sensor in the unit. Whenever the sensor detects that there’s a leak, it will automatically turn on the system’s fan to help disperse the concentration of refrigerant.
Another commonly integrated safety feature is shut-off valves. These are to be connected to the leak sensor and will automatically shut off valves to prevent excessive refrigerant from leaking out of the unit.
How Do Refrigerant Changes Affect Homeowners?
Refrigerant changes can have a lasting effect on homeowners. As we transition from using R410A refrigerant to moving toward either R32 or R454B refrigerant, there are a few key changes coming to homeowners. The first is the rising cost of newer HVAC systems. However, this higher cost does come with a reduction in your household’s carbon footprint and enhanced safety equipment.
If you’re due for a system upgrade, getting a new unit with R32 or R454B refrigerant is a necessity. If your existing system is fairly new, you can still enjoy running R410A refrigerant. However, realize that the cost of recharging that refrigerant is going to steadily increase over time, which means pricier HVAC maintenance and repairs for aging systems. Eventually, it’s going to make more financial sense to upgrade to a unit that uses the new R32 or R454B refrigerant.
Reliable HVAC Installation Service
White Mechanical, Inc. offers reliable cooling and heating installation service to the Orange County, CA region. We can also help with all your indoor air quality, dehumidifier, humidifier, commercial, air duct sealing, and commercial refrigeration needs. Call us today to schedule your next service consultation with one of our HVAC technicians.
