Air Conditioning

If you’ve ever heard a Holtzople technician mention a refrigerant change during a home visit, you might have been a little puzzled. What exactly is a “refrigerant change” and what does it mean for you? A lot of information is circulating right now, some of it alarming, and most of it written for contractors rather than the homeowners who actually have to live with these systems.

You need information that’s meant for you, so you can know what type of HVAC refrigerants your system likely uses, what the EPA’s recent changes mean for you specifically, and what you should do right now.

Haven’t scheduled your spring maintenance yet? Start here.

What Is Refrigerant & What Does It Do?

Refrigerant is the substance inside your air conditioner or heat pump that makes the whole process work. It absorbs heat from inside your home in the summer and releases it outside, then reverses that cycle in the winter to bring heat in. It moves heat rather than generating it. And it doesn’t get “used up” the same way fuel does in a vehicle. Instead, it cycles continuously through a closed loop. So if your system is low on refrigerant, that means there’s a leak somewhere.

Essentially, HVAC refrigerants are the invisible workhorses of your comfort system, quietly doing their job when things are running right.

A Quick History: From R-22 (Freon) to R-410A

The shift happening right now isn’t the first time the HVAC industry has overhauled its refrigerants, and understanding that pattern makes the current headlines feel a lot less alarming.

R-22 (Freon): For decades, R-22 was the standard refrigerant in residential air conditioning systems. Starting in 2010, the EPA began phasing it out due to its damaging effect on the ozone layer. By 2020, R-22 was fully banned in the United States. If your system still runs on R-22, you’ve felt the effects: repairs are expensive because the refrigerant itself has become scarce and costly.

R-410A: This refrigerant replaced R-22 and quickly became the industry standard, used in systems installed between 2010 and 2024. Most systems installed in the last 10–15 years use it. If your home has a relatively modern HVAC system, R-410A refrigerant is likely what’s running through it.

The phaseout of R-410A follows a similar pattern to what happened with R-22; the timeline is longer and more gradual than some headlines suggest, but the direction is the same. Knowing the history of how the industry handled R-22 is the best preview of what happens next.

What the EPA Changed (and When)

The AIM Act, signed into law in 2020, set the regulatory wheels in motion. Here’s a timeline of important points:

• January 1, 2025: Manufacturers were required to stop producing or importing new HVAC equipment that uses R-410A refrigerant.
• December 31, 2025: Retailers and wholesalers must clear out their R-410A equipment inventory.
• January 1, 2026: Contractors may only use recycled or reclaimed refrigerant when servicing existing R-410A systems.

Important note for homeowners: It’s legal to continue using an existing system that runs on R-410A refrigerant. The ban is on new manufacturing, not on your existing equipment. Your system can still be serviced, repaired, and maintained for years to come.

One more important clarification: You can’t retrofit an existing R-410A refrigerant system to use a new A2L refrigerant. The new rules apply only to newly manufactured systems. Attempting to convert would violate EPA regulations.

The EPA also proposed some flexibility adjustments around inventory sell-through in 2025, which softened the rapid cliff some feared. The bottom line for homeowners? This transition is something to keep in mind, but it’s not an emergency.

What’s Replacing R-410A?

Most residential systems going forward will use either R-32 or R-454B, both of which fall under the A2L refrigerant class. Here’s how the major brands break down:

• R-454B: Chosen by most major U.S. manufacturers for ducted systems, including Trane and Carrier. It has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 467, roughly 78% lower than R-410A.
• R-32: Used by Daikin, Goodman, and Amana, as well as in ductless mini-splits across multiple brands. It carries a GWP of 675, still significantly lower than the 2,088 GWP of R-410A.

At Holtzople, we’re a Diamond Contractor for Mitsubishi and a preferred installer for Trane. These are two brands leading the A2L transition. Here’s a quick comparison:

Should Homeowners Worry About Flammability?

One of the most common concerns we hear (and one that searches like “is freon toxic” or “is freon flammable” speak to) is whether the new HVAC refrigerants are safe to have in your home. It’s a fair question.

Both R-32 and R-454B are classified as A2L refrigerants, meaning they are mildly flammable. However, these HVAC refrigerants operate within a completely closed system. They’re never exposed to open air inside your home under normal operation, and they’re kept well away from any ignition sources. The risk to homeowners in everyday use is thus minimal.

So, is freon toxic? In large quantities in an enclosed space, any refrigerant can displace oxygen and become dangerous. But in a properly installed, well-maintained home system, exposure isn’t a realistic concern. Manufacturers have also redesigned new systems with additional safety sensors engineered for A2L refrigerants.

This isn’t a reason to panic or avoid buying a new system. Proper installation and a trained team can handle the safety requirements correctly.

What This Means for Your Home

Let’s break it down by the situation you might be in.

Situation A: Your system is 10 years old or newer and uses R-410A

You’re in a solid spot. Here’s what to know:

• R-410A will continue to be produced (at lower volumes) until 2034, so service won’t be an issue anytime soon.
• Replacement parts and HVAC refrigerants for your system will remain available for the foreseeable future.
• Costs will gradually rise as supplies tighten, however, so staying on top of maintenance is more important than ever.
• If your system needs a major repair and is more than 10 years old, it’s smart to get a replacement quote alongside the repair quote. Depending on the numbers, upgrading sooner may be the better financial decision.

Situation B: Your system uses R-22 (Freon)

If you’re in this situation, you’re likely already feeling the pinch:

• R-22 is scarce and expensive. A refrigerant recharge on an R-22 system can run several hundred dollars per pound.
• Repair costs have been climbing steadily, which is what happened as the R-22 phaseout took hold.
• At this point, replacement is almost always the smarter financial decision. When repair costs approach that of a new system over a few years, it’s time to consider upgrading.

Situation C: You’re buying a new system now

Good news: You’re buying into the future.

• All new equipment uses R-454B or R-32. These are cleaner, more efficient HVAC refrigerants with significantly lower environmental impact.
• New models come with higher efficiency ratings and smarter controls, which translates to noticeable savings on your energy bills. New equipment is expected to deliver efficiency improvements that can help offset the 20–30% increase in upfront equipment costs.
• Federal and state rebates may be available to help offset costs.
• Holtzople’s team can give you a System Replacement Quote and walk you through financing options that make the upgrade approachable.

Keep It Cool

The refrigerant landscape is changing, but for most Maryland homeowners, this isn’t an emergency. Know what you have, keep it maintained, and make a smart decision when the time comes.

The best thing you can do right now is stay on top of routine maintenance so your current system lasts as long as possible. A well-maintained system is a cost-effective one, regardless of which refrigerant it runs on.

Have questions about your system’s refrigerant or whether it’s time to upgrade? The Holtzople team is happy to take a look. Reach out to schedule a consultation or system assessment. We’re always here to keep your home comfortable and your costs low.