Freon, R-410A, and R-454B are all refrigerants that have been used in residential and commercial cooling systems to extract heat from indoor air and to transfer it safely to the outside. Depending on the age of your current central air conditioning system, it may operate using Freon, R-410A, R-32, or R-454B refrigerant. Understanding the differences between these refrigerant compounds will allow you to purchase the best AC unit for your needs when it is time to replace your current cooling system. The team at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating can help you navigate the various refrigerant types and can recommend the best options for your home in Bradenton, Florida.
What Is Freon?
Freon was used as a refrigerant in central air conditioning systems and heat pumps starting in the 1930s and continuing until well into the 1970s. It has been banned for production and import into the United States since January 1, 2020. Also known as R-22, Freon is classified as a chlorofluorocarbon or CFC. CFCs have been implicated in the destruction of the ozone layer and the potential melting of the polar ice caps. As a result, Freons are no longer used as refrigerants in new AC systems. While some supplies of Freon are still available for legacy HVAC systems, the cost of this refrigerant is steadily increasing as demand for Freon outstrips available supply. New AC and heat pump systems use other refrigerants to extract heat from indoor air and to produce cool air for climate control purposes.
What Is R-410A?
As Freon was phased out for use in home AC systems, R-410A became the most popular replacement refrigerant. R-410A is a zeotropic mixture of pentafluoroethane and difluoromethane, two compounds that have different boiling points. When liquids boil, they change to a vapor form. Because the ingredients of zeotropic refrigerants undergo evaporation and condensation at different temperature points, they can provide better thermodynamic efficiency than refrigerants with only one boiling point. R-410A is only mildly zeotropic, however, which means that the difference between the boiling points of its ingredients is relatively small.
Because R-410A is less damaging to the environment than Freon, it was quickly adopted by the HVAC industry after Freon was taken off the market. R-410A, however, does contain high levels of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) that can deplete the ozone layer. Beginning in 2025, the manufacture of new systems that use R-410A refrigerant will no longer be allowed in the United States. While supplies of R-410A refrigerant will still be available for some time, you can expect to pay more for recharging your HVAC system as those supplies dwindle in the future. New AC and heat pump systems will be required to use A2L refrigerants that are nontoxic, flammable, and have a low burning velocity. These include R-32 and R-454B refrigerants. If you currently have an R-410A system, you will likely need to upgrade to an A2L refrigerant system when you replace your cooling system in the future.
What Is R-454B?
Both R-32 and R-454B refrigerants are expected to replace R-410A once it has been fully phased out. R-454B consists of a zeotropic blend of R-1234YF and R-32, both of which are healthier for the environment than R-410A or Freon. R-454B systems require a larger heat transfer surface to produce cooling comparable to that of a similar R-410A system. This means that current R-410A systems will not be able to use R-454B refrigerant without significant and costly retrofitting. For most people, upgrading to a new energy-efficient R-454B heat pump or AC system will be more cost-effective than attempting to retrofit current R-410A systems to accept R-454B refrigerant.
Along with its environmental benefits, the main reason to upgrade to R-454B refrigerant systems is to ensure a steady supply of the required refrigerant for years into the future. While R-410A supplies should remain available for several years, upgrading now could reduce the cost of recharging your system in the future. A newer HVAC system can also save you money on utility bills when cooling your home in Bradenton and the surrounding communities.
What You Should Know About the R-410A Phaseout
If you recently replaced your air conditioning system with a new R-410A system, you may be concerned about the availability of R-410A refrigerant. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expects to stop the sale, importation, distribution, and use of R-410A sometime between 2026 and 2027. Most HVAC companies will still have a stockpile of R-410A refrigerant to serve the needs of their customers. Additionally, HVAC companies will be allowed to sell their existing stock of R-410A systems after January 1, 2025. No new systems that use R-410A refrigerant, however, will be manufactured in the United States after January 1, 2024.
Systems that operate on R-454B and R-32 refrigerants are expected to hit the market early in 2025. These systems may take up more space and may cost somewhat more than comparable R-410A refrigerant systems. It is important to remember that even though the EPA is phasing out the use of R-410A, homeowners in our area do not need to upgrade to an R-454B or R-32 system until their current R-410A system fails and can no longer be repaired.
Work With the Experts in the Heating and Cooling Business
The professional HVAC technicians at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating can provide the right recommendations and services to keep things cool in your Bradenton home. We can help you find the best solution for upgrading your AC or heat pump and will work with you to find a solution that meets your needs and suits your budget.
One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating in Bradenton, Florida can provide you with practical guidance and professional installation services for all types of HVAC systems. We offer prompt repairs, unbeatable 100-percent satisfaction guarantees, and on-time arrivals for every appointment. If you need more information about your current cooling system or are interested in a brand-new installation, give our team a call today. We are always here to help when you need us most.