03/20/2025
Out with the old in with the new. So it seems for us HVAC professionals. I emphasize this in conjunction with the ever evolving trade of comfort
through heating and cooling. As new data is harvested and processed concerns arise about ozone depletion and global warming. These
concerns have caused the EPA to change the chemicals that we use to heat and cool our homes, commercial buildings and even the
aerosols that propel our aunts favorite hair spray. When I started in HVAC back in 2003, R-22 was the go to refrigerant 4 short years after I was
already training for the new refrigerant R-410A. In 2007 Iwas already working on and installing R-410A s systems as this would become the new
standard of refrigerant. R-22 was phased out in 2010 because of its contribution to Ozone depletion under the US clean air act. As more data
was processed the EPA realized that R-410A refrigerant was a major contributor to global warming. This information raised the eyebrows of
environmental protection agents which got the ball rolling to once again make a change in the HVAC industry. Fast forward to 2025 and the new
regulations have taken effect. As of January 1st, A2L refrigerants are the new standard in HVAC. A2L refrigerants are categorized as slightly
flammable. The 2 new refrigerants are R-32 and R-454b. The characteristics of these refrigerants are less toxic and have a lower global
warming potential. Due to its flammability, new systems, tools and equipment must change as a precautionary safety measure. New systems
now have an on board refrigerant leak detection sensor. If this sensor gets a whiff of refrigerant it will cause the system to stop cooling and will
turn on the fan for 7 minutes to dissipate any refrigerant it detected. This event will cause the circuit boards to store a diagnostic code that will
have to be manually reset by an HVAC professional. After the 7 minutes it will either stop if no more refrigerant is sensed or go back into
mitigation mode. Because of its flammability new equipment must be used. Recovery machines and vacuum pumps will have to use brushless
motors to avoid any sparks during operation. Digital and mechanical gauges will also be affected With digital gauges a simple software update
will make them A2L compatible. Mechanical gauges that aren't rated for higher pressures wil not work to determine proper readings of hvac
system operations. Due to its similarities in pressure when comparing A2L refrigerants to R-410A, R-410A gauges can be used by converting
pressure to temperature for its respective refrigerant. To make the process easier it is better to get new mechanical gauges rated for A2L
refrigerants. Luckily R410A is in the very early stages of being phased out. In comparison, R22 phase out began in 2010 and 2 years ago I was
still able to get equipment compatible with R22. R410A refrigerant eguipment and parts should still be available depending on how hard or soft
the EPA wants this change to take effect. Today its15 years after R22 phase out and we can still get refrigerant. Im sure R410A refigerant will
still be available in the future. The main changes are its availability and pricing along with parts dwindling down as the EPA enforces the new
A2L refrigerants. A2L is the new standard in refrigerants however as new data is being collected we might see changes yet again.
This bulletin was written by Gustavo Herrera, sole owner of Air Era.
