Starting in January 2025, just a few weeks away, the allowable Global Warming Potential (GWP) for refrigerants in several common applications will be limited to 700. This change garners several common questions: Can you still buy units with the current refrigerant? Can you fix your existing systems? Are compliant systems available? Will this affect design, project cost and schedule?
Can you still buy units with the current refrigerant?
Yes, but with some caveats. A GWP of 700 or less means the refrigerant’s impact on global warming is 700 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2) or less. Practically speaking that means several products with r-410a will no longer be manufactured. Items like residential and light commercial split system heat pumps and air conditioners, residential dehumidifiers, retail food refrigerators, and several other less common refrigeration systems will no longer be produced with r-410a but will be available for sale until stocks are depleted or January 1, 2026, whichever comes first.
Can you fix your existing systems?
Yes, but at a component level only. Manufacturers can still make compressors, line sets, condenser coils, evaporator coils, thermostatic expansion valves, etc., for the foreseeable future. However, they are not allowed to produce an entire component or system, so no complete condensing units or air conditioners.
Are compliant systems available?
The availability of compliant systems varies by manufacturer and equipment type. It varies depending on the manufacturer, equipment type, and size. Many manufacturers have chosen to stockpile r-410a units through the end of the year to allow for a smoother transition to the new refrigerant. The strategy is to have enough stock to be able to take down their existing r-410a lines and retool to produce r-454b or r-32 equipment without having simultaneous production and without a gap in equipment availability. This approach was the strategic purpose for the separate manufacturing stop date and the sell-through date.
Will this affect design, project cost and schedule?
Yes. The current viable replacement refrigerants, R-454B and R-32, are blends that include propane, a flammable gas. These refrigerants are classified as A2L refrigerants, meaning that they are mildly flammable. This designation carries with it additional construction requirements and limitations that are not adequately addressed in most adopted codes, including ventilated chases, revised refrigerant capacity limitations, and potentially leak detection.
The International Code Council (ICC) recognizes that the 2012-2021 Building, Residential, Mechanical, and Fire Codes do not adequately address the application of A2L refrigerants and have therefor requested that Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to amend their current adopted code to include these changes. They provide a guidance document for this approach, but the AHJ has the final authority. Proactive discussions with the AHJ are the best way to avoid construction pitfalls, costly changes, and project delays.
Design considerations required to make this transition may include ventilated chases, increased electrical demands, and application limitations. Items like chases have the potential to create significant construction issues if not planned. It’s far better to have discussions on the overall effect of changing refrigerants mid-design than it is to try to account for changes in the construction phase. Chances are, changing refrigerants during the submittal phase will lead to delays, increased construction cost, and design changes.
Stay tuned for the next round of changes in January of 2026, they may reshape our industry when it comes to the use and application of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems.
For more information, please reach out to Barton’s Director of Mechanical Engineering, Stephen E. Oskin, PE, LEED AP at 814-231-2180 or seo@ba-inc.com with questions about any items covered in this article.