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Refrigerant is the lifeblood of heat pumps and air conditioners. It drives the heat transfer process by both absorbing and releasing heat as needed. No matter how you control the climate in your St. Louis, MO home, it’s important to remain abreast of the changing standards for residential refrigerant. To curb global warming, many HVAC equipment manufacturers are switching to a new eco-friendly Opteon refrigerant. Designated as R-454B, this coolant offers greater efficiency and safety. It also takes a far lesser toll on the earth’s ozone layer. Read on to learn more about R-454B, including what you can do to get ready for it.
Recent Changes in the World of Residential HVAC Refrigerants
For many decades, Freon or R-22 was the standard for residential refrigerants. Unfortunately, Freon releases both hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) into the atmosphere. HCFCs are ozone-depleting molecules that accelerate warming in the earth’s stratosphere. HFCs are man-made, fluorinated greenhouse gases (GHGs). According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), HFCs expedite the upward trajectory of ozone-poor air to decrease ozone levels in the tropics. As greenhouse gases, HFCs are believed to be thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide and thus, far greater contributors to near-term global warming.
The Phase-Out of Freon (R-22)
At the close of the 20th century, regulators recognized the long-term impacts of widespread, long-term Freon use. With the goal of significantly reducing both ozone depletion and global warming by 2050, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented an outright ban on the production and importation of Freon on January 1, 2020.
Between 2010 and 2020, homeowners were encouraged to replace their Freon-reliant air conditioners with cooling systems that rely on upgraded and more eco-friendly refrigerants. During this time, AC manufacturers redesigned many of their models and introduced all-new AC types that use R-410A or Puron instead.
The Introduction and Decline of Puron (R-410a)
Unlike Freon, Puron does not release HCFCs, but it does release HFCs. At its inception, Puron was considered both far more sustainable as a residential coolant and far less impactful on the earth’s temperature and ozone layer. The biggest challenge of implementing the switch from Freon to Puron was making it both feasible and affordable for the everyday consumer.
The refrigerant in air conditioners and heat pumps is highly pressurized. Freon and Puron operate at vastly different pressure levels. As such, simply recharging a Freon-reliant AC with Puron was never an option. Attempting to use Puron in an air conditioner that was built for Freon would prove both ineffective and highly dangerous. At the very least, it would lead to an immediate compressor collapse.
To maintain their old air conditioners following the 2020 ban, homeowners had to either pay the increasingly high costs of recharging their equipment with a dwindling Freon supply or have their ACs retrofitted. AC retrofitting projects proved far more costly than simply swapping old ACs out and less than worthwhile. The Freon ban essentially forced consumers’ hands by making new cooling equipment essential.
The Recent Switch to R-454B
Many people began using Puron-reliant cooling systems long before the 2020 EPA ban on R-22 took effect. The Freon phase-out that occurred between 2010 and 2020 gave both consumers and AC manufacturers the chance to adapt to this major transition. Unfortunately, Puron’s lifespan as the top choice for residential AC proved relatively short-lived. In 2024, many HVAC equipment manufacturers began designing products that use R-454B. Commonly referred to as Opteon, this new refrigerant doesn’t release HCFCs or HFCs, Both safer and more efficient, it’s known by several common and brand names:
- Opteon XL41
- Solstice 454B
- Puron Advance
Operating at pressure levels nearly identical to those of R410A or Puron, R-454B offers homeowners the chance to seamlessly switch their coolants without having to replace their heat pumps or air conditioners.
How the New Opteon Refrigerant Trumps Freon and Puron
On average, air conditioners usually last between 15 and 20 years. In fact, many of the latest and most efficient AC models can last as long as 25 years. If you were one of the many homeowners who rushed to upgrade their Freon-reliant ACs to air conditioners that ran on Puron, you’re probably less than eager to see Puron become obsolete.
The good news is that Puron and Opteon work much the same. This is why R-454B is often referred to as Puron Advance. It represents a more refined and HFC-free version of this coolant. By operating at nearly the same pressure as the original Puron refrigerant, it eliminates the need to majorly retrofit Puron-reliant ACs or replace them. Depending upon the AC or heat pump make and model you own, you may be able to switch to Opteon during your next recharge service with very few equipment modifications overall. However, this is but one of the several high points of making this important, eco-friendly change.
Save Energy With Every Cooling Cycle
In tests, R454-B consistently demonstrated at least 5% more efficiency than Puron with the promise of lowering energy costs for consumers. Best of all, according to Opteon manufacturers, it maintains its superior performance in both high-ambient and normal conditions.
With increased efficiency, R-454B both reduces ozone depletion and limits GHGs. Although air conditioners and heat pumps are not fuel-burning appliances that directly produce and release GHGs, greenhouse gases are often created during the production of the electricity that powers them. Using less energy to keep your home cool with R-454B will limit your contribution to these hidden or “grey” emissions.
R-454B also has a low temperature glide. This makes it easier to top R-454B off after repairing refrigerant leaks. However, this is only true for ACs and heat pumps specifically designed for use with this refrigerant or Puron-reliant ACs and heat pumps that have already received the necessary modifications for Opteon use.
The addition of polyester (POE) lubricants additionally gives R-454B a comparatively high miscibility. This allows for a more homogeneous mixture and easier transition between liquid and vapor states.
R-454B is also acceptable for use in a vast range of HVAC equipment types, including:
- Portable AC units
- Window AC units
- Chillers and heat pumps
- Split and packaged central ACs
- Ductless mini-split ACs and heat pumps
Thus, no matter how you cool your home, you can affordably make this switch.
Why This Phase-Out Is So Different
With 10 years to plan for the outright ban of Freon, consumers and HVAC manufacturers had a full decade to prepare. By implementing a gradual phase-out of R-22, the EPA sought to limit the burden of making essential equipment upgrades. Fortunately for consumers, the burden of moving from Puron to newer and more eco-friendly Opteon refrigerants largely falls upon HVAC manufacturers.
Since the phase-out of Puron, many HVAC companies have been designing heat pump and air conditioner models that can accommodate refrigerant refinements with limited modifications and at a limited cost. Like R-410A, R-454B represents an ongoing effort on the part of HVAC manufacturers to reduce the environmental impact of worldwide cooling system use.
We help homeowners in St. Louis, MO make informed decisions about their heating and cooling equipment. We offer outstanding heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality services. We also have a mobile showroom and an exceptional preventative maintenance plan. To find out more about switching to the new Opteon refrigerant or schedule an appointment, contact Agers Heating & Air Conditioning today.
