Freon ® and it’s Evolution

Well folks here we are not 15 years later and Freon ® is changing again.  Our wonderful EPA has determined what is best for one once again. Last time if you remember the government took away r-22 Freon ® and replaced it R-410a.  This was going to be the end all in save the planet refrigerant.  It was costly for homeowners to change and even more costly for those that did not change.  Well they are at it again, this time it is even worse.  Starting January 1st 2026 R-410a will not longer be made for use in new equipment.  We are now going to be asked to decide between 2 new refrigerants, R-454b or MP-32. In my opinion neither is a good choice and at least ONE has to go.

WHEN, WHY, HOW

So even though the law does not take place until 2026 most cities are already out of the old R-410a equipment. Makers did not properly estimate the demand for 2025 and as a result ran out early in the season. With Freon ® changing so rapidly it is important to keep up on the latest information so here it is.  The 2 new choices are split between R-454b and MP-32.  Both of these refrigerants are flammable, yes I said flammable.  Neither of these will work with current system.  This creates extra costs for the industry, which ultimately ends with the homeowner.  The reasoning behind the move by the EPA is that R-410a although environmentally friendly no longer meets the threshold the government desired. A mandate was set forth to find something better and this is the best they could seem to do.

Your Equipment

As a result of changing Freon ® most of the equipment currently in use is now obsolete.  With the new refrigerants they need to have matching indoor coils and because the refrigerant is flammable the furnaces need to have a special safety device.  This device will shut down your gas furnace in he event of a refrigerant leak. Due to the cost of this safety device coupled with the average age of  a system needing to be replace, few companies are giving the option to keep the existing furnace in place.  The end result is a complete new system from top to bottom even if your furnace is in good working order.  With this you will get a system perfectly matched for current standards and efficiency.