New Refrigerant Regulations Will Burden Businesses and Consumers with Higher Costs
The Environmental Protection Agency's new refrigerant regulations, which took effect January 1, 2025, are creating significant financial challenges for both businesses and consumers across the HVAC industry. While environmental goals drive these changes, the economic impact is proving substantial and far-reaching. The Regulatory Shift The new EPA regulations establish a 750 global warming potential (GWP) limit for refrigerants used in air conditioning systems, effectively phasing out R-410A refrigerant, which has a GWP of 2,088. This transition stems from the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 and requires manufacturers to shift to lower-GWP alternatives like R-32 and R-454B refrigerants, classified as A2L refrigerants. The regulations prohibit the manufacture, installation, and import of products using refrigerants with a GWP above 700, affecting residential and light commercial air conditioners, heat pumps, chillers, and commercial air conditioning systems. Ste...