Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine May 2025 Issue

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2025

State National Chapter News

distribution of condensing units, indoor coils, indoor air handling units, and other parts that use R-410A so long as they are used to service legacy R-410A systems. Components using R-410A cannot be used to install a new R-410A system beginning January 1, 2026. Specified components (i.e., condensing units, condensers, compressors, evaporator units, and evaporators) manufactured with R-410A after January 1, 2025, must be clearly labeled noting that the component may be use d “for servicing existing equipment only.” “Technician Questions” Question: Can I use existing R-410A components (either used or held in inventory) to build a new R-410A system after January 1, 2025?* Answer: No. No new system may be installed using HFC refrigerants about the GWP limit after the compliance date, even if the components were manufactured prior to that date. Did you note that questions frequently referred to systems vs components? Components are bundled to make a system. You can’t have air conditioning without a system but you can have components without air conditioning. It is simple. You can make a system work with components used to make a repair but you cannot bundle components to make a system. We all understand that. This article, “Frequent questions on the Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons” on the EPA website specifically lists condensing units, indoor coils, other smaller parts) as components and specifically states, these components can *Just a note. The cut off date for installing 410A systems was changed to January 1, 2026.

be used to “ maintain and repair their systems throughout the useful life of the equipment .” OK, what is the deal? More than one manufacturer now says that the EPA has changed their rules and a condenser unit cannot be replaced. Some have even said that a compressor cannot be replaced. Where is this coming from? One manufacturer is using the new M1 to M2 testing requirement being placed on 410A systems to help justify them not making any more 410A systems. According to them, the new testing procedures are so onerous that they cannot justify making 410A systems. So, if my information is correct, they are saying that the EPA has made it illegal to make 410A systems and that may not be the case. It certainly is the case that the EPA is making it onerous to comply with testing and the manufacturer has opted not to make 410A systems. This may be their best option and we can’t blame them for making a good financial decision. What we do question is, “How will they furnish replacement components when the system is still under warranty if they are not making some 410A components; i.e., condensers, compressors, and maybe others?” Let’s say a homeowner has a 10 year warranty and the compressor needs replacing at 8 years. Let’s say that the manufacturer is no longer supplying the compressor. What is the homeowner to do? What is the dealer / contractor to do? Will the manufacturer replace the entire system with a new A2L system? Will they prorate the current value of the replacement part based on the life expectancy of the part. In this case, the 10 year warranty. If that is the case, will they factor in the total value of the system