HVAC Refrigerant Change
By 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that all HVAC manufacturers stop producing HVAC systems that rely on the R410A refrigerants. With the R410A refrigerant commonly used in the apartment projects we build, we’ll need to consider the following:
Equipment Changes
In December 2024, all manufacturers will stop making R-410A systems. All existing R-410A systems must be installed and operational by December 2025. Starting January 2026, only R-454B systems will be allowed for installation and operational use.
Construction and Code Changes
It isn’t clear how this refrigerant change might change how structures are built, or whether building codes may be updated as a direct result. It also remains to be seen how each municipality reacts and how and when they will enforce the use of the new refrigerant.
“I have read articles that explain how the new refrigerant is more flammable. There is not a lot of clarity yet on how the risk associated with the higher flammability of the refrigerant is to be ‘contained’ in future building code revisions. Currently refrigerants are routed, via copper lines, through the buildings in any voids in the superstructure that can be captured. To protect the building from a higher flammability due to the new refrigerants, will the codes be re-written to address that higher flammability, or will the code writers/cities/etc. decide there is no additional risk and deem the codes do not need to address it?,” says Craig Perry, Construction Manager at PointSource Construction Management.
If the codes are re-written, will we be incorporating one or two-hour rated shafts in the buildings? Will they need to be sprinkled, ventilated, or exhausted with fire louvers? Will they require smoke detectors and fire dampers? We just don’t know yet.
What is clear, though: this change is happening. Everyone needs to look out for these new systems when reviewing plans for upcoming projects and a group effort will make this transition as smooth as possible.
Considerations That Need to be Made:
1. Be mindful of your operational date.
If you have a project underway or are getting ready to start a project, assess your operational date. If it is comfortably prior to 12/31/2025 then use the R410A HVAC systems that are more than likely already specified. BE SURE TO ANTICIPATE THAT THE PROJECT COMPLETION (OPERATIONAL DATE) MAY BE DELAYED DUE TO TYPICAL CONSTRUCTION DELAYS. Give yourself a cushion.
2. Consider securing an R-410A unit ahead of time.
For those planning to install a R-410A system by the end of 2025, you’ll need to ensure the manufacturer will have the equipment on hand to supply your project.
Manufacturers will phase out the units, so it may be in contractors’ best interest to order the units ahead of time and store them until ready for installation. This would require a “material stored” item in the pay requests and the developer would want to be sure the bank will fund this request.
3. Identify whether an equipment change is necessary.
If your project seems to be close to, or past December 2025, you may want to make an equipment change prior to the stage of construction where the rough installation takes place. Carrier states that new equipment will be available to be priced in the coming weeks, and available for initial rough-in by May 2024. It also estimates that the R-454B equipment will cost approximately 15% more than R-410A.