Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine January 2024

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2024

that is a long way off. True, but this year, 2024, the levels will drop 40% from the 2022 levels. Putting it in a contractor’s world, if you used 10 drums last year, you will on have 6 available by 2025. I used that date because I am not sure how the actual reduction will take place. You get the point. Servicing the systems you installed over the last 10 years is going to get tough. In fact, it will probably put some homeowners in a difficult position. Do they pay the escalated price of 410A or do they replace their system that is only 5 to 10 years old. Now that sounds like an opportunity for sales; however, what about the customer. Some may still be paying on that system you installed. Excuse the grammar, “But ain’t that a bird dog?” When you get to that point, the A2L systems will be on the market and that will certainly be the best decision. In fact, it will be the only decision. A2L refrigerant will require some upgrades on your tech’s truck; i.e., gauges, recovery machine, vacuum pumps, and leak detectors. Actually this is a good time to train your guys and implement better recovery practices that will save you lots of time. I recommend

Can It Get Worse??

I really don’t mean to be so negative ;but, my gosh, how much can they load on the shoulders of the HVACR industry. We all thought that SEER2 was going to do us in and we survived. Now we see that was only the beginning. Now we have to deal with A2L systems, diminished supplies of 410A, IRA programs that may or may not be adopted in Arkansas, and on again off again adoption of a new Energy Code. Now look, I do not believe that anyone is malicious or has malintent. I just believe that there are too many balls in the air for anyone to juggle. 410A: Bryan Orr’s article on 410A Phase-Down is worth keeping on your computer. It is thorough and to the point. As his article showed, 410A refrigerant is on the way out. The quotas for refrigerant mfgs dropped 10% in 2023 and will drop another 30% in 2024. It will drop another 30% in 2029. So from the 2022 levels, mfg will be down by 70% in 2029. OK,