08/27/2024
Taken from another contractor:
There are huge changes happening in the HVAC industry over the next couple months.
If you’re a homeowner or soon to be one, you might want to take a moment to read this.
They have made a change to the refrigerant in the AC systems.
The reason it’s a big deal this time unlike last time is the suddenness of the change.
Last refrigerant change was started in 2003, but was not mass produced by manufacturers until 2007.
This allowed plenty of time for the industry to experiment and learn the new refrigerant. This was a guinea pig era of R410a.
The new R32 and R454a is a sudden change with no crossover time to learn the new product.
The proper way when changing refrigerant has always been to replace the entire indoor and outdoor system to match.
However, in the event a customer was not in a financial position to replace everything at once there was a way to mix-match and at least get them through until everything could be replaced.
The new refrigerant will not allow this. If parts are 30, 60 or 90 days out, the ability to swap a condenser will not be possible. The only option now is full system replacement.
When a change like this occurs, manufacturers must hold parts until warranties expire and the complete change typically takes 20yrs.
If I were in the position for needing a replacement in the near future, I would rush to make the change before the change over is mandatory.
The manufactures started releasing the new equipment and lines and updates. Prices are going up and you’ll be forced to face the new requirements.
Hopefully, this will help you know what’s coming very soon.
No HVAC contractor asked for this. Our goal is never to make things harder than they have to be.
