Home Warranty
All about the EPA’s 2025 Refrigerant Mandate
Does your HVAC system use R-410A refrigerant? Starting in 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency's new refrigerant phasedown mandate may affect you.
Understanding the R-410A refrigerant phasedown
What is R-410A?
R-410A is one of the most commonly used refrigerants in HVAC systems today, responsible for keeping your home cool during summer and cozy during winter.
Why the phasedown?
Despite its prevalence, there’s a catch—R-410A has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 2,088. Due to its environmental impact, the EPA has decided to phase out this refrigerant.
What replaces R410-A?
The goal is to transition to more environmentally friendly refrigerants—like R-32 and R-454B—which both have lower-GWP impacts, in an effort to combat climate change.
What does this mean for homeowners?
Although there's no need to rush to replace working HVAC systems, these parts may become more difficult to find. Therefore, homeowners may want to upgrade to a more efficient system that takes lower-GWP refrigerants.
Timeline for the phasedown
2022
The EPA began reducing the production and importation of high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A.
January 1, 2025
After this date, nearly all newly manufactured cooling systems must use refrigerants with a GWP under 700.
By 2036
The EPA aims to achieve an 85% reduction in the production and consumption of high-GWP refrigerants.
How the phasedown affects homeowners
- If your R-410A HVAC system is working, you won’t need to take immediate action, but future servicing may become more expensive as refrigerant supplies dwindle.
- Declining availability of R-410A could raise repair costs, forcing you to decide between expensive fixes or a system replacement.
- Upgrading to a compliant system now may save money in the long-term and allow you to explore financing options for a smoother transition.
- Switching to systems with refrigerants like R-32 or R-454B offer better efficiency, cost savings, and environmental benefits.
Stay covered and comfortable
American Home Shield® home warranties are built for everyday life and all that comes with it. Whether you need to upgrade your HVAC system or simply need a tune-up, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how being a AHS member can help keep your home comfortable and happy:
- All AHS home warranty plans cover air conditioners, heating units, and ductwork.
- For covered breakdowns, we’ll repair or replace your system using compliant parts and components, including the appropriate refrigerant.
- Easily book pre-season HVAC tune-ups with the AHS app to keep your system running smoothly.
- If you’re ready for a new system, the AHS New HVAC Program includes new units that use low-GWP and energy efficient A2L refrigerants, like R-32 and R-454B.
Ta-da! The new
AHS® app is here.
Say hello to the American Home Shield app—your new go-to for placing service requests anytime and from anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Global Warming Potential (GWP) measures how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over a specific period, compared to carbon dioxide, which has a GWP of 1. Lower GWP refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B significantly reduce the environmental impact of HVAC systems. For context:
- R-410A: GWP of 2088
- R-32: GWP of 675
- R-454B: GWP of less than 500
Switching to lower-GWP refrigerants is a critical step in combating climate change.
A2L is a classification of refrigerants that indicates they are mildly flammable and have low toxicity. These refrigerants strike a balance between performance and environmental impact, making them an ideal choice for modern HVAC systems. Safety systems like leak sensors and dissipation boards ensure they are used securely and efficiently.
R-454B is one of the newer refrigerants being introduced as an eco-friendly alternative to R-410A. It’s a blend of two compounds:
R-32 (Hydrofluorocarbon): Provides high efficiency and low GWP.
R-1234yf (Hydrofluoroolefin): Offers additional environmental benefits, including zero ozone depletion potential.
R-454B has a GWP of less than 500, making it significantly better for the environment while still delivering effective cooling and heating for homes.
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