2025 Freon Mandate Change & What It Means for Baltimore Residents

With summers that reach into the 80s and 90s, Baltimore-area residents need a quality air conditioning solution to stay cool and comfortable.

If you’re considering a new HVAC unit or an upgrade within the next few years, it’s important to learn how the R-410A refrigerant phase-out may affect your equipment options and costs.

These changes will directly impact homeowners who are looking to upgrade their HVAC systems in the near future.

The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020

When the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 was signed into law, it introduced new refrigerant requirements for air conditioners, heat pumps, and ductless mini-splits.

Older refrigerants like R-22 were found to damage the Earth’s ozone layer, which protects us from excessive UV radiation that can cause skin cancer and other health issues.

Due to their negative environmental effects, the manufacturing and importation of older refrigerants like R-22 were outlawed on Jan. 1, 2010. They were phased out of all new equipment and no longer available after 2020.

While R-410A has fewer detrimental effects on the ozone layer than R-22 and a lower global warming potential (GWP), it can still cause significant damage to the environment. Beginning in 2025, it, too, will be phased out and replaced by new, less-harmful refrigerants.

R-454B vs. Other Refrigerants

The new standards introduced by the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act will outlaw the importation and manufacture of R-410A after Jan. 1, 2025, phasing it out in a similar manner to R-22. It will be replaced by new refrigerants like R-454B, which don’t have severe effects on the ozone layer or high global warming potential. R-454B has a GWP of less than 466, while R-410A has a GWP of 2088.

One downside of R-454B is that it has slightly higher flammability than R-410A. It has an A2L classification, which means it has low flammability and low flame propagation. R-410 is a class A1 refrigerant, which means it’s not flammable and has no flame propagation.

But with the low levels of A2L refrigerant in a typical system, and the additional safety features in new ACs, the risk of fire is minimal should the system develop a leak. Both A2L and A1 refrigerants are considered non-toxic.

The other downside is that equipment using R-454B refrigerant will cost more to install initially, though it will be significantly more efficient, reducing utility costs over the system’s lifetime.

What Does the Refrigerant Change Mean for Homeowners?

Although new air conditioners that use R-454B may be a bit more expensive than those based on R-410A, at least initially, they’ll cost less to operate thanks to greater efficiency and be less damaging to the environment.

Plus, by choosing an R-454B system now, you can future-proof your Baltimore home and avoid the need to upgrade your HVAC system in the near future.

Finance Your HVAC Replacement

Are you ready to upgrade your AC unit to a modern, more efficient model that supports R-454B refrigerants? Call our team at Len The Plumber Heating & Air.

We make AC replacements easy with high-quality, professional installations and financing options with approved credit.

Top Factors Contributing to Rising HVAC Equipment Costs

The need to develop and implement new refrigerant solutions has had a significant impact on HVAC equipment costs, forcing manufacturers to redesign their equipment and implement new production techniques, but that’s not the only reason HVAC system costs have risen. Additional causes include:

• New SEER2 and HSPF2 efficiency standards
• Supply chain disruptions
• Higher material pieces
• Labor shortages
• Increased demand

Once production of R-454B systems is in full swing, however, prices may moderate.

Schedule Your HVAC Replacement in the Baltimore Area

Whether you’re upgrading your AC, replacing it, or installing a new air conditioning system, you can count on our team at Len The Plumber Heating & Air for top-quality service and installations.

We have over 25 years of home service experience, and our highly skilled team offers upfront pricing. All our services are backed by our exclusive guarantee, and we offer coupons to help you save money.

With over 120 skilled technicians and over 60,000 families served every year, you can count on Len The Plumber Heating & Air for all your heating and cooling needs in the Baltimore area.

Call us today to schedule your HVAC replacement in Baltimore or the surrounding areas.