What You Need to Know About the New HVAC Refrigerant Mandates
March 27th, 2025 by Itzel Cyr
The EPA has introduced new rules for refrigerants. These rules took effect on January 1, 2025, and aim to make your HVAC system more eco-friendly and meet current environmental standards. Current refrigerants will be replaced with lower global warming potential (GWP) options.
When your old HVAC needs replacement, trust Thornton Heating Service. They are the experts in heating and cooling. They will make sure it is installed safely.
What Are the 2025 Refrigerant Mandates?
Global warming is a growing concern. The EPA now requires the use of new HVAC refrigerants. These refrigerants must have a GWP of 700 or lower. R-410A, an older refrigerant, has a GWP of 2,088.
Explaining R-454B and R-32
The goal of banning refrigerants like R-410A is to protect the environment by reducing ozone depletion and greenhouse gases from your HVAC system. The new HVAC refrigerants are R-454B, which has a GWP of 466, and R-32, which has a GWP of 675.
R-454B is meant for ducted residential and light commercial HVAC systems. R-32 works better for ductless and smaller HVAC systems.
How Does This Affect Homeowners?
You don’t need to replace your home’s HVAC right away. However, it will cost more when you do need to replace it. New systems must be built to use the new refrigerants, which will make the cost of a new HVAC system higher than before.
You can consider retrofitting your current system. However, this may not be a good option if your HVAC system is nearing the end of its lifespan.
Luckily, you can still utilize and maintain your existing system. However, the cost of older refrigerants will increase as the supply drops.
Another point to consider is how the new government HVAC refrigerant mandates will affect the supply chain. As manufacturers create new systems, fixing older ones might become more difficult. This is because parts for older systems may become more challenging to find.
Benefits of the New Refrigerants
While environmental improvements are the main driver behind these 2025 HVAC refrigerant regulations, there are other benefits for homeowners.
Updated systems in homes and businesses will lead to lower energy bills. This is because the new HVAC refrigerants are more efficient. These new systems also use less refrigerant to cool your property, which means you need to change it less frequently. This saves you money on maintenance costs.
Though the new refrigerants are classified as mildly flammable, they are designed for closed systems. The new air conditioner refrigerants are no riskier than other household products. New safety measures, updated designs, and building codes ensure the new HVAC systems are safe for cooling your home.
What Should You Do to Prepare?
Now that we’re well into 2025, you might be wondering what to do about your existing system and when to upgrade.
First, it’s essential to schedule an HVAC inspection with an expert, like the team at Thornton’s Heating Service. They assess the condition of your system, determine whether it’s time for a replacement, and quote you for a new system. They can also tell you if retrofitting is an option.
Knowing the costs of installing a new system is important. These will likely be higher than you expect, so getting a quote from your contractor is a good way to determine how an upgraded HVAC will impact your finances.
How Thornton Heating Service Can Help
A reliable HVAC company can help you understand the new government refrigerant rules. With Thornton, you get expert advice and support. Our team offers complete air conditioning services and can assess your current system and repair your new one.
We install several air conditioners, heat pumps, and air handler models that meet the new requirements.
We also have special offers and promotions to help save you money on any high-efficiency system installation.