New Refrigerants Hit the HVAC Industry—and Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric is Ready!

The HVAC industry has been preparing for transition to new A2L refrigerants that takes effect this month (as of January 1). This class of refrigerants has lower flammability, lower toxicity, and lower global warming potential (GWP) than the older products (such as R-22 and R-410a), which are being phased out. This mandate was created to regulate hydrofluorocarbons, whose high GWP is a factor in ozone depletion.

Why the switch to A2L refrigerants?

As global efforts to combat climate change intensify, refrigerants with high global warming potential are being phased out and newer refrigerants with lower GWP are being introduced. This switch to A2L products was mandated by the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Technology Transition rule. The transition will reshape how heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are designed, maintained, and operated.

Which products qualify as A2L refrigerants?

There are two products, R-454B and R-32, that fall under the category of A2L refrigerants. The most common A2L refrigerants expected to be used in HVAC systems starting this year (2025) are R-32, R-454B, and R-466A. They have a much lower GWP than R-410A, so they are more environmentally friendly options for cooling and heating. They are considered the second safest class of refrigerants due to their low flammability and toxicity according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

What this means for HVAC equipment

New HVAC equipment (air conditioners & heat pumps) must use these safer A2L refrigerants starting in January 2025. However, all existing R-410a systems (which use Puron, the refrigerant that replaced Freon several years ago) are still compliant and can be serviced, as parts for that type of refrigerant are still available. The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act authorized a 15-year phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons across of a variety of applications—including HVAC.

However, moving forward, all replacements and new HVAC installations must use equipment compatible with the new A2L refrigerants and cannot use equipment manufactured before January 1, 2025.

Carrier—and Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric—are ready

Major brands such as Carrier will be using R-454B. According to the Carrier website, Puron Advance (R-454B) is its new refrigerant that will replace Puron in all residential ducted and ductless and light commercial products. It meets the EPA’s global warming potential limits for refrigerants and the scheduled phasedown of higher GWP refrigerants.

As a Carrier factory authorized dealer and installer, our HVAC technicians are ready to install and service new A2L-compatible equipment.

“Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric is moving full steam ahead with the refrigerant transition set forth by the Department of Energy and the EPA and are offering all of Carrier’s equipment with the new Puron Advance R-454B,” said long-time general manager and new owner, Jack Lamb.

He noted that the R-410a phaseout time means homeowners with older HVAC systems won’t have to make big changes in the foreseeable future. “We will continue to service equipment with Puron R410 while supplies last and will advise our customers about their systems and any upgrades as needed.”

Contact Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric for more information

If you have any questions or concerns about your existing HVAC system, or want more information about the new A2L refrigerants, contact our office at 973-237-0505 or info@bloomfieldcooling.com.