What to expect from refrigerants in 2025?
What to expect from refrigerants in 2025?
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2019 aims to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to address climate change while driving economic growth and technological innovation. It establishes a regulatory framework to reduce HFC production and consumption by 85% by 2036, introduces an allowance system for compliance, and supports the transition to environmentally friendly alternatives. The Act is expected to create thousands of jobs, generate billions in economic activity, and align the U.S. with international climate efforts.
Key Points:
Phasedown of HFCs: Gradual reduction schedule targeting 85% reduction by 2036.
Technology Transition: Supports adoption of safer, lower-GWP refrigerants.
Regulatory Measures: Implements an allowance system, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
Environmental Benefits: Contributes to global climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Recycling and Safety: Promotes HFC reclaiming, recycling, and safe handling practices.
Which Refrigerants are impacted?
The AIM Act specifically targets hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with high global warming potentials (GWPs), which are widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, foam production, aerosols, and other applications. Here are some of the major refrigerants being impacted:
Commonly Used HFCs Affected:
HFC-134a (1,430 GWP): Frequently used in automotive air conditioning and household appliances.
HFC-32 (675 GWP): A component in many blended refrigerants, used in residential and commercial air conditioning.
HFC-125 (3,500 GWP): Often found in refrigerant blends like R-410A and R-404A.
HFC-143a (4,470 GWP): A component in refrigerant blends like R-404A.
HFC-245fa (1,030 GWP): Used in foam blowing agents.
HFC-23 (14,800 GWP): Used in specialty applications and as a by-product of other refrigerant manufacturing.
Blended Refrigerants Affected:
R-410A (2,088 GWP): A widely used blend in residential and commercial air conditioning.
R-404A (3,922 GWP): Common in commercial refrigeration.
R-407C (1,774 GWP): Used as a retrofit option for older systems like R-22.
Transition to Alternatives:
The law promotes the shift to low-GWP alternatives, such as:
Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs): e.g., R-1234yf, R-1234ze.
Natural Refrigerants: e.g., ammonia (R-717), CO2 (R-744), and hydrocarbons like propane (R-290).
Lower-GWP HFCs: e.g., R-32 (675 GWP), being adopted in air conditioning systems.
These refrigerants will face stricter production, import, and use restrictions under the AIM Act’s phasedown schedule. Manufacturers, industries, and technicians are transitioning to compliant alternatives to meet the law’s environmental objectives.
When is it happening?
Dates are evolving, but below highlights the most up-to-date information available.
1. Key Dates from the AIM Act (Original Law):
2020: AIM Act signed into law on December 27, 2020.
2022: EPA began implementing phasedown schedules for HFC production and consumption.
2024: 90% of the production and consumption baseline to be allowed.
2036: HFC production and consumption must be reduced by 85%.
2. Updated Rulings (December 2024):
R-410A Systems Phasedown:
Manufacture and import of single-phase systems under 65 KBTU/H using R-410A ends December 31, 2024.
Sale and installation of these systems prohibited after December 31, 2025.
Three-phase systems over 65 KBTU/H using R-410A can be manufactured and imported until December 31, 2025, and installed until December 31, 2026.
Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems Updates:
Extended deadlines: Installation of VRF systems with components manufactured or imported before January 1, 2026, allowed until January 1, 2027.
Additional extension to January 1, 2028, for projects with approved permits before October 5, 2023, using pre-2026 components.
Summary Timeline:
2024-2025: Manufacturing of certain high-GWP systems ends, starting with smaller systems.
2026: Pre-2026 components still allowed for installation in VRF systems.
2027: Deadline for VRF system installations with pre-2026 components.
2028: Final extended deadline for pre-approved VRF installations using pre-2026 components.
2036: Full 85% phasedown of HFC production and consumption completed.
This phased approach ensures industries have time to transition to compliant refrigerants and technologies while avoiding stranded inventory. Let me know if you need a visual timeline or additional clarification!
What to expect moving forward?
Design Considerations:
When designing systems for new refrigerants, safety and compatibility are critical considerations. Many next-generation refrigerants, such as R-32 and HFOs, are classified as mildly flammable (A2L) or highly flammable (A3), requiring enhanced ventilation, integrated leak detection systems, and adherence to updated safety codes. Compatibility with existing systems also presents challenges, as materials like seals and gaskets may require replacement, and components such as compressors or heat exchangers might need to be reengineered to accommodate the unique properties of new refrigerants. Environmental impact is a key factor, emphasizing the need for low-GWP refrigerants, minimized lifecycle emissions, and effective processes for reclaiming and recycling refrigerants at the end of a system’s life. Furthermore, compliance with building codes is essential, as designs must align with updated standards for refrigerant handling, while also accounting for regional variations in code adoption
Manufacturing
Not all manufacturers will be the same. However, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC (METUS) has outlined its strategy to ensure a smooth transition to R-32 refrigerants while maintaining availability of R-410A systems during the interim. The company will continue to manufacture and import R-410A systems for three-phase units over 65 KBTU/H until December 31, 2026, with sales and installation supported through 2027. Simultaneously, METUS plans to introduce R-32-based systems into the U.S. market starting in late 2025. This approach allows for dual availability of both R-410A and R-32 models during the transition period, ensuring customers can maintain operations and adapt as needed. METUS leverages over a decade of experience with R-32 globally to expedite the U.S. product rollout and ensure high reliability for its VRF systems.