Refrigerant is an essential component of any HVAC system that cools the air in your home. Due to environmental legislation, the type of refrigerant used in air conditioners is changing, which can affect the operation of the unit you use now and your plans to move to a new system in the future. So you can understand why there are different refrigerants in use, we’ll discuss Freon, R410a, and R454b, the three you’re most likely to find at home.
What Is Freon?
Freon, the brand name for dichlorodifluoromethane, is also known as R22. This hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) was once the most popular refrigerant in the United States. It’s non-toxic to humans, but since it causes ozone depletion, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started phasing it out in 2004 and banned its use in new air conditioning units made after 2010. In 2015, the EPA started phasing the production and import of Freon, and since then, it has become more expensive and scarce. The import and sale of new Freon has been banned in the United States since 2020. However, since it’s possible to clean and reuse the chemical, people can still acquire recycled Freon for their cars, refrigerators, and air conditioners. While it’s not illegal to have equipment that runs on Freon, it can be difficult to find, so after the ban, many people switched to newer systems to avoid inconvenience.
What Is R410a?
R410a, often called by its brand name, Puron, was introduced to the market as a refrigerant in 1996. In 2013, it became the industry-standard replacement for Freon in residential air conditioners. Today, most modern residential HVAC systems installed after 2010 use R410a.
R410a is made from a blend of the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) compounds difluoromethane, or R32, and pentafluoroethane, or R125. It’s in a different chemical class than Freon. While R410a is non-toxic, non-flammable, and not damaging to the ozone layer, scientists discovered that it has a global warming potential (GWP), making it harmful to the environment.
Practically speaking, R410a is a good replacement for Freon because it can cool the air faster and more efficiently. R410a is better than Freon at absorbing and releasing heat, which makes it less likely to cause compressor burnout. Systems that use R-410A use a synthetic oil for lubrication—a polyoester (POE) oil that is also used by jet turbine engines—to help increase efficiency.
As part of efforts to fight climate change, the U.S. government moved to regulate the use of HFC refrigerants, including R410a. In 2020, the AIM Act of 2020 gave the EPA the power to phase out chemicals with GWPs over 700. Since then, air conditioning manufacturers have been working on finding replacements for R410a, which has a GWP of 2088.
In 2021, the EPA released guidelines to gradually reduce HFC production beginning in 2022. As of 2023, newly manufactured HVAC systems do not use R410a. Starting in 2025, making or importing most new R410a HVAC systems will be banned, which puts pressure on manufacturers to find a standard replacement for R410a now.
What Is R454b?
In the United States, most of the larger HVAC brands have chosen R454b as their preferred replacement refrigerant. Carrier announced that its ducted residential air conditioners will use R454b, and Emerson will produce R454b compressors.
R454b, also branded Opteon XL41, is a non-toxic and mildly flammable A2L refrigerant that has low global warming potential, having a GWP of 466. This hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) chemical compound is comprised of difluoromethane, or R32, and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, or R-1234yf. It has a similar cooling performance to R410a, and it also tends to increase the reliability and lifespan of the compressors that use it.
Because R454b is mildly flammable, it is not a direct drop-in replacement for R410a. Many states are revising their safety standards and building codes to make it easier to use R454b AC units, while engineers are working to design new AC systems and components that can be operated safely without fear of causing fires.
Why Aren’t Refrigerants Interchangeable?
One frustrating aspect of environmental regulations is their inconvenience to consumers. Refrigerants are not interchangeable; they only work in compatible systems. This means that every time a refrigerant is banned, engineers must design new systems to accommodate the changes. R-410a air conditioning systems, for instance, use a different kind of oil than Freon-based systems, and they also operate differently. If you put R410a in a Freon-based air conditioner, it would malfunction and break down.
How Does the Transition to New Refrigerants Affect Homeowners?
For most homeowners, the transition from R410a to R454b should not cause too much pain. R410a refrigerant and parts for R410a air conditioning units will be available for several years, so people who already have these machines installed should be able to keep them running for a long time. This means that people whose units are under warranty may be able to operate them until at least 2034.
People who are purchasing new air conditioning units after 2024 may face a few challenges. It will still be possible to purchase R410a units until supplies run out, and existing models may cost up to 20% less than the newer R454b units. On the other hand, early adopters of R454b units will likely be able to take advantage of discounts, rebates, and tax credits. Since these new machines are also more energy-efficient, consumers who install R454b machines will also save money on their utility bills over time.
Upgrading Your Air Conditioner? The Pros at Melbourne One Hour Can Help!
If you’re looking at upgrading your air conditioning system, you may be concerned about how new regulations might affect your household. The pros at Melbourne One Hour can discuss the relative benefits of different air conditioning refrigerants and help you choose the best system available for your cooling needs and budget.