What will be the new refrigerant in 2023?

Karl Pomeroy, President and GM, Motili.

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If you’re a regular reader of my Forbes column, you know the upcoming January 2023 HVAC regulation changes and new minimum efficiency standards have been a key focus of mine for the past few months. In today’s environment of supply chain shortages, delays and rising prices, building owners and operators need to know about the effect the new minimum efficiency standards for heat pumps and air conditioners could have on organizations and homeowners. I believe these upcoming changes could have a significant impact on the environment and the budgetary bottom line, so it's important HVAC companies are ready as well.

As I have previously discussed, the new minimum efficiency standards for residential air conditioners will follow regional borders that were established in 2015. For air conditioners in the northern part of the U.S., the minimum efficiency will increase to 14 SEER; in the South, the minimum efficiency will increase 15 SEER. The new standards also "require an increase in the heating efficiency of air-source heat pumps—measured by the equipment’s heating seasonal performance factor," according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The minimum HSPF will increase from the current standard of 8.2 to 8.8.

Considerations For Building Owners

One of the points I want to reiterate about the regulation changes is that it is imperative building owners and operators are aware of which units they are purchasing and their install date. Before making any purchases, especially as we head in the spring and summer months, consider:

• If you are buying units based on pre-2023 standards, install them prior to December 31.

• The units you purchase should support the new minimum efficiency standards effective January 1.

Considerations For The HVAC Industry

If you are in the HVAC business, now is the time for field techs to educate themselves on the new minimum efficiency standards and what the rules are for the regions they service. It will also become increasingly important in the next few months for contractors to understand what stock is available or when it will become available—and to be confident about the timeline of delivery. As we get deeper into 2022, contractors will have to make educated choices about which units they will or will not be able to install with the January 1 deadline looming ahead.

From my perspective, product procurement will come with price increases that will likely continue to trend upward as the year goes on. I also expect supply chain issues to continue to impact product acquisition. I believe higher performance components, new fan systems and increased unit chassis sizes will bring a need for an increase in commodities, such as copper and plastic for newer, bigger systems. That equates to higher acquisition costs.

With this in mind, I believe the HVAC industry also must continue to educate its customers and potential customers, as these changes are just around the corner. Reach out to customers and ensure they understand the regulations for 2023 and beyond, ask about the condition of their in-place HVAC systems and consider offering to inspect it. These are additional ways industry leaders can deliver the message of change and the potential impact these new regulations could have on everyone, ranging from the single-family homeowner to the multi-family and commercial property owner.

One Final Note For HVAC And Refrigerants

The new HVAC unit regulation changes will likely be followed by more refrigerant changes in the future. To review, beginning in 2020, only recovered, recycled or reclaimed supplies of R-22, a hydrocarbon refrigerant, were and are available for legacy systems, and I'm finding the price for it continues to climb. I also expect a reduction in the availability of the R-410A refrigerant next year, as that's when the new HVAC standards kick in. As the HVAC industry goes through the process of transitioning to next-generation refrigerants, long-term planning and legacy unit replacement come into play.


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The face of the AC industry is always changing. Though home comfort is a wonderful luxury, it’s important to balance a comfortable environment inside with a healthy global environment beyond the walls of your home. To this end, the government is moving AC units away from R410a and other HCFC refrigerants and implementing new efficiency standards. Here’s what you need to know about the R410 phaseout and new 2021 energy efficiency standards.

The Rise and Fall of HFCs

HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerants were originally developed as a replacement for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) used in sectors such as air conditioning, refrigeration, and foam blowing. As ODS products such as R-22 refrigerants were phased out in compliance with the Montreal Protocol (MP) from the mid-1990s through 2010, the use of HFCs such as the well-known R410 refrigerant went up significantly.

Unfortunately, HFCs are potent greenhouse gases. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol then followed in 2019, with the goal of phasing out HFCs. The Kigali Amendment aims to reduce HFC consumption by more than 80% by 2047. This should help slow down the increase in global temperature by 0.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.

The AIM Act and HFC Phase-Out

The AIM (American Innovation & Manufacturing) Act passed in 2020, further elaborating on the phase-out of HFCs. This act gave the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) authorization to set standards for HFC management and reduction in the coming years. On September 23, 2021, the EPA released its final rule on the HFC phase-down. These guidelines detail the gradual reduction in HFC production which will begin in 2022 and continue through 2036. By 2036, efforts will plateau with a 15% decrease in the baseline.

Starting January 1, 2022, the AIM Act prohibits production or consumption of regulated substances in the US without correlating production or consumption allowances. Through 2022 and 2023, the EPA will allocate up to 90% of the baselines. Companies cannot bank these allowances as they will not carry forward past the respective calendar years. These allowances will reduce to 60% in 2024.

New System Requirements in 2023

Starting in 2023, new HVAC systems will no longer use R-410A. These systems will also be subject to new energy efficiency standards. New AC units produced in 2023 and beyond must have a minimum SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of 14 in the northern part of the U.S. and at least 15 in the southern part of the country. Heat pumps will face a minimum HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor) of 8.8.

Introducing A2L Refrigerants

The EPA recommends A2L refrigerants such as R32 and R454B as replacements for R410. These A2L products are mildly flammable, presenting a fresh set of considerations when incorporating them in place of the A1 refrigerants that cannot propagate a flame. While HVAC professionals must take the potential flammability of these refrigerants into account, it’s important to note that the potential for ignition is still very low. A2L refrigerants require a high ignition energy, so most sources will not cause them to ignite.

The EPA’s SNAP Rule 23 identifies six A2L refrigerants as safe alternatives to R410. In addition to R32 and R454B, the EPA has also approved R452B, R454A, R454C, and R457A.These refrigerants are currently approved only for new self-contained and split-system air conditioners that are specifically designed for A2L refrigerants.

Handling the A2L Switch

AC units cannot seamlessly transition from R410 to A2L refrigerants. The air conditioner must be designed specifically for the A2L product. Therefore, the move to new refrigerants will only impact customers who are installing new units. This means that technicians must stay up-to-date with the best practices for working with both types of refrigerants as the transition is underway over the next few decades.

Our professionals at Griffith Energy Services, Inc. always stay at the forefront of new AC innovations. We can help you navigate the changing landscape of cooling systems and make sure you have the right system for your home. If you’re considering a new AC installation, call us today to find out about the latest highly efficient products available for your home.

What will replace 410A refrigerant?

The leading replacement for R-410A refrigerant is a pure, single component refrigerant called R-32, which has one-third the global warming potential of R‑410A.

What is the future refrigerant?

HFC-HFO Blends – A transitionary family of refrigerants blends that leverage the respective benefits of both HFOs and HFCs. These blends are a short-term solution which have a GWP approximately half that of HFCs.

Is 410A Freon going away?

R-410A is scheduled for elimination from all new systems in 2023. Many HVACR contractors are not prepared for the change, and there are many questions. Here are some answers. Why January 2023?

What will replace R

A few popular R22 alternatives are R410A, R134A, R407C, R407A, MO99, and RS-44b. This type of refrigerant is safe for the environment, affordable, and easy to store, use, and transport.