R32 Refrigerant - Things you should know
2025 EPA Refrigerant Update to R32
In 2025, the EPA has updated the refrigerant used in homeowners and businesses HVAC systems to R32 refrigerant. The purpose behind this is to lower the Global Warming Potential of the refrigerants to be more eco friendly.
Why is R32 a Better Refrigerant?
Keeping our ozone layer safe is a priority of the EPA and most likely, you as a homeowner. As HVAC systems age, the indoor and outdoor units can leak refrigerant into the atmosphere as they deteriorate. As such, R32 refrigerant was introduced in 2025:
- R32 has a lower GWP (Global Warming Potential) if it escapes your system
- R32 refrigerant is said to produce 10% lower electricity costs to the home owner, lowering your bills but also lessening the need for electricity. The production of electricity itself can be a pollutant and an ozone saver!
So what refrigerant is in my system today at my house?
Most likely, if your system was put into your home in the past 10 years, it has R410A refrigerant. This is important to know because you cannot mix R32 and R410A refrigerant in your system and the mechanical components of your system which were made for R410A will not run R32 refrigerant.
How do I know what refrigerant I have in my current system?
There is a tag on your condenser unit on the exterior of your home which lists the model number, serial number and refrigerant type amongst other items.
My indoor coil has a leak, do I need to replace my entire HVAC system?
NO, do not be duped into the big companies telling you otherwise!
We get this question a lot because the home owner was quoted $20,000 to replace their system because of a leaking indoor coil. The truth is, there could be a better solution. A new R32 coil, can in fact, work with an R410A condenser.
What does this mean for you as a homeowner? For a fraction of the cost, we can install a new R32 coil in your R410A system, recover your existing remaining R410A in your system and utilize your existing out door condenser to get you back up and running for a much lower cost.
Why would you want to do this?
- The new R32 coil from Goodman/Daikin retains a new 10 year parts and 1 year labor warranty
- The indoor coil will most likely outlast your outdoor condenser, meaning it can be used later
- This allows you as the homeowner to split up the costs of replacing your whole system by replacing the indoor coil to an updated version which will accept R32 refrigerant when the time comes to replace your outdoor condenser