Why Upgrade Your AC Now? Don’t Wait for the 30% Price Increase in 2025.

As homeowners, we aim to make the best decisions to keep our families as comfortable as possible in our homes. As with most choices, there is a balance of cost and comfort involved. While on the surface, it doesn’t seem like a good time to consider replacing your AC system, digging a little deeper provides an excellent reason for you to consider this. Here’s an explanation of what is happening and how it may affect you now.

The Department of Energy is activating a required refrigerant change effective January 1st, 2025. This change requires manufacturers to update their equipment options and phase out any equipment that contains 410A refrigerant. AC manufacturers are already rolling out upgraded equipment to be in compliance with this new refrigerant.

These new models using acceptable and safe refrigerants are expected to come with a 30% price increase across the industry. We are able to install 410A equipment for 1 year after this goes into effect, but once the equipment inventory is sold out, it will no longer be manufactured. (Please note that the current phase-out of 410A refrigerant is over a 12+ year period and is not expected to be obsolete until closer to 2040.)

Why the R-410A Refrigerant Phase-Out and Switch to R-454 (Opteon XL41

In 2020, Congress approved the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, that limits the production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) based on their Global Warming Potential (GWP). R-410A has been the industry standard since it replaced the ozone-depleting refrigerant R-22 (Freon). Though R-410A is not ozone-depleting, it does have a higher GWP than R-22.

Because of this, the EPA has begun limiting the production of R-410A and other HFCs exceeding a specific GWP limit, first by 10% in 2020 and now by an additional 30% in 2024. Additionally, they have required all HVAC manufacturers to stop producing all new AC and heat pump systems containing R-410A by January 1, 2025.

How You Are Affected

Unfortunately, there is no retrofit scenario that would allow current AC systems to use the new refrigerant. This means that HVAC equipment had to be redesigned to use R-454B. Because of the manufacturer’s increased costs associated with the redesign, new AC systems will be 15% to 30% more expensive than currently available systems.

Will you have to replace your current system? No. You can continue to use your current AC system for the duration of its lifespan. We will continue to have access to refrigerant to support it. However, it will become less available as time goes on.

When Should You Consider a Buying a New Air Conditioner?

If your current system is nearing the end of its lifespan, now may be the best time to replace it.

We offer $0 down and 0% interest financing. Click here to apply today!

Get your unit installed before 2024 to take advantage of the Central Air Conditioners Tax Credit. This tax credit is effective for products purchased and installed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032. Find out how you can claim 30% of your project cost up to $600: Click Here!