Big Changes Ahead for A/C Units: What Arizona Homeowners Need to Know for 2025
PHOENIX – Significant updates are coming to the air conditioning industry, and an Arizona A/C company is breaking down what homeowners need to know.
Paul Howard, general manager of Jutt Air Conditioning, explained that the industry has undergone major shifts in the past year and a half, with even bigger changes on the horizon. These updates will affect anyone needing a new A/C unit after their current system stops working.
The End of R-410A Refrigerant
“The production of the current refrigerant, R-410A, will stop after December 31 of this year,” Howard said. “While we’ll be able to sell and install systems using this refrigerant through the end of 2025, those systems will no longer be available after that.”
Why the Change?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pushing for refrigerants with lower environmental impact.
“The goal is to use refrigerants with the lowest possible global warming potential,” Howard explained. “This is great for the environment, but it’s going to significantly drive up costs and impact homeowners.”
What Homeowners Can Expect
Starting January 2025, new A/C units will require the updated refrigerants. Here’s how it will affect buyers:
- Cost Increases: New installations are expected to cost 20–25% more due to the expense of testing, production, and technician training.
- Compatibility Issues: The new refrigerants cannot be used in existing units. However, current units can still be serviced until they reach the end of their lifespan. At that point, homeowners will need to invest in a new system designed for the updated refrigerants.
Benefit Air recommends homeowners service their A/C units at least once a year to extend their lifespan and maintain efficiency.
Prepare for Demand
As Arizona temperatures rise, calls are already coming into Benefit Air Conditioning, a family-owned full-service company.
“When we hit that first hot week in April, people start thinking about their air conditioning, and our maintenance calls skyrocket,” Howard said.
But with the introduction of two new refrigerants starting in January, Howard predicts the changes will “throw the whole A/C industry on its head.”
If you’re considering replacing your unit, now may be the time to act before the new refrigerant regulations take full effect.