In 2020, the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act was enacted into law, which authorizes a 15-year phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) across of a variety of applications-including HVAC.
Come 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will set a 750 global warming potential (GWP) limit for air conditioning. This means that R-410A, with a GWP of 2,088, will no longer be able to be used in new equipment.
So, what will it be replaced with?
The most common low GWP alternatives are classified by ASHRAE as mildly flammable, or A2L. Due to their mildly flammable characteristics, A2L refrigerants will require updates to standards and building codes to allow for their safe installation.
What are A2L Refrigerants?
"A2L refrigerants can be a single refrigerant or a blend of multiple refrigerants in specifics amounts," De La Portilla says.
A2Ls have a lower flammability rating compared to A3 refrigerants such as hydrocarbons, propane and isobutane. They also have a lower toxicity rating than B series refrigerants such as ammonia. In fact, A2L refrigerants are considered the second safest class of refrigerants.
Moving forward, there will be two primary refrigerants that be used for comfort cooling: R-454B and R-32. R32 refrigerant is a HFC refrigerant, used as a replacement for R410A in low temperature refrigeration and air-conditioning applications. This refrigerant is a preferred replacement for R410A in new equipment. R32 gas's GWP is 675.
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