Starting January 1, 2025, several standard refrigerants used in residential and commercial air conditioning (including R-410a) will be phased out as per the U.S. EPA. Going forward, new systems will use more environmentally-friendly refrigerants known as A2L refrigerants. This change is going to impact many facilities and Facility Managers.
Here’s what you need to know to prepare for the coming year.
5 things to know about the changeover to A2L refrigerants
1. What’s different about A2L refrigerants
A2L refrigerants, such as R-32 and R-452B, are a newer class of refrigerants for air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. They were developed for lower global warming potential and less toxicity.
While A2L refrigerants are better for the environment, they are mildly flammable. That means equipment needs additional safety features, and new tools and training must be provided for technicians.
2. Equipment that uses A2L refrigerants is more expensive
Every new system installed as of January 2025 must use A2L refrigerants. And you’ll find that the newer equipment is significantly more expensive, partly due to the safety features that are now required. Installation is more complex, so expect installation costs to rise as well.
So if you expect to replace air conditioning or refrigeration systems in 2025, it pays to get an estimate now so you’re prepared for the higher cost.
3. You can’t replace equipment piecemeal
You can’t mix components in a system: they all need to be compatible with the same refrigerant. So if you need to replace a component (like an air handler) of an older system that uses R-410a, you can’t add a R-32 component to an R-410a system. So you’ll be faced with a choice:
Purchase a replacement R-410a component. This will still be possible for a while, and you can likely get a deal on an older component. For a system that’s only a few years old, this may make the most sense, but for an older system the expense might not be a good value over the long term.
Replace the entire system. A new A2L system will cost more up front, but cost less over the long term, since you avoid spending money on a soon-to-be obsolete component.
4. Retrofitting is not an option
You may recall the phase-out of R22 refrigerant several years ago. At that time, it was possible to retrofit older systems to use the newer refrigerants. Unfortunately, this won’t be an option for A2L refrigerants.
5. Service costs will rise, too
The phase out of older refrigerants will happen over a period of years. So for now, they are still available for maintaining and repairing service existing equipment. But as the availability decreases, the cost of older refrigerants is expected to rise.
Servicing new equipment will be more expensive, too. Service providers will need to train technicians and purchase new tools and equipment. Also, the complexity of newer systems may mean that they take longer to service.
How to prepare for the change
Be vigilant about maintenance. Keep your existing systems in peak condition for as long as possible to put off the expense of a system replacement.
Make sure your budget reflects the new reality. Plan for higher HVAC costs going forward to avoid a budget scramble when equipment fails.
Develop a proactive plan for replacements. Take a hard look at the age, condition, and maintenance history for all your air conditioning and refrigeration systems. You’ll spend less in the long run, and experience less business disruption, if you replace systems proactively instead of waiting for them to fail.
Partner with the experts. You can trust Arista’s expertise when it comes to all aspects of the transition to A2L refrigerants. Our technicians are already installing A2L systems, and are fully up to speed on all service-related tasks, including leak repairs, recovery and recycling, disposal, and documentation requirements.
Do you have questions about transitioning to A2L refrigerants for your HVAC systems? If you’re in New York City, Arista can help. Contact us today.
