HVAC News

At Peters Associates, we’re all about educating our customers to help you make informed decisions about your home comfort! Here, we track changes in the HVAC industry and share relevant news with you.

2025 HVAC Refrigerant Changes

Starting back in 2020, a the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) ACT became law. This started a 15-year plan to decrease hydroflourocrbons (HFCs) in HVAC and other applications. The impact on the HVAC industry is that the commonly used R-410A refrigerant are going to be phased out for more environmentally friendly options.

Additionally, the EPA is establishing a 750 global warming potential (GWP) limit on air conditioners for 2025. The result of this is that R-410A won’t be able to be used for new air conditioners. So, what does all this mean for homeowners?

These changes are a big win for the environment, but it also means that the HVAC industry will be changing, too. Where homeowners will feel that change the most is when repairing or replacing/upgrading their air conditioners. As new systems need to use what are known as “A2L” refrigerants (more eco-friendly!), and old refrigerant will no longer be produced, costs will likely change.

Cost Considerations for New and Old Air Conditioners

If your current air conditioners uses an older refrigerant like R-410A, you don’t need to replace it. However, the cost of old refrigerant will increase because of a continued decrease in supply. This will mean older systems may cost more to repair and maintain.

For homeowners looking to upgrade or replace their current air conditioner, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. First, newer technology can mean new safety standards and installation methods that can demand more labor. Secondly, the newer refrigerants will require new piping (lines), so installation costs can rise as a result. Lastly, newer technology generally costs more. For the first few years, demand will probably be higher than supply which can be mean longer wait times for repairs and replacements.

Should I Replace My R-410A AC System Now?

Not necessarily! If your current air conditioner uses a soon-to-be-outdated refrigerant but otherwise serves you well, you’re probably fine to enjoy it’s remaining years. If your current system is more than 10-15 years old or doesn’t keep you comfortable, however, it might be worth investigating a newer system sooner rather than later. It really depends on your current system and comfort needs. As always, Peters Associates is glad to take your questions and give you honest, low-pressure advice!

2023 Energy Efficiency Changes

2023 brought some big changes where residential air conditioning and heat pump products are concerned. Starting from January 1, 2023, minimum SEER rating and testing requirements will be changing throughout the U.S. The changes affect HVAC companies and homeowners alike, but ultimately those changes will be for the better, especially where environmental impact and energy savings are concerned.

Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with HVAC energy efficiency standards, We’re here to cut through the jargon and explain the areas that are useful for you to know. At Peters Associates, we want you to be comfortable with every heating and cooling decision you make. We’d be delighted to give you advice on the latest regulations and how they affect you as a homeowner.

The New SEER Standards and What They Mean

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is an efficiency measurement that is used to monitor an HVAC unit’s expected energy output per year. Under the existing 2022 regulations, the minimum efficiency standards for new air conditioning installations is 13.0 SEER in Northern U.S. areas and 14.0 SEER for areas in the South. If you’re not sure what your AC system’s SEER rating is, take a look at your unit. There should be a label that lists the SEER rating along with other specs. If not, and you know your HVAC model number, you can look it up online.

From January 2023, HVAC professionals will only be permitted to install HVAC systems with a minimum SEER of 14.0 in the North and a minimum SEER of 15.0 in the South. Heat pump systems will also be covered under these regulatory changes at the same time.

A good rule of thumb to remember when choosing a new AC system is that the higher the SEER, the higher the efficiency of your system. And the higher the efficiency of your system, the more money you can save on running costs. For example, an AC system with a 16 SEER will be around 13% more efficient than a system with a 14 SEER. This could bring you savings of around $50 a year on your electricity bill.

Do I Need to Replace My Existing System Now?

If you’re worried that you need to replace your existing air conditioning system to meet the new regulations, don’t be. These standards only come into play if your system fails and you need a new one. Your HVAC professional will help you to understand what the new SEER regulations mean, what system will be suitable for the size of your home and any insulation you have, and also the energy savings that you can enjoy after upgrading.