{"id":1599,"date":"2024-10-28T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/?p=1599"},"modified":"2024-11-01T10:37:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T14:37:00","slug":"is-it-better-to-buy-an-ac-system-or-wait-for-refrigerant-upgrades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/air-conditioning\/is-it-better-to-buy-an-ac-system-or-wait-for-refrigerant-upgrades\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Better to Buy an AC System or Wait for Refrigerant Upgrades?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/iStock-973631576_800x533.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/iStock-973631576_800x533-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"tools-and-air-conditioner\" class=\"wp-image-777\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/iStock-973631576_800x533-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/iStock-973631576_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/iStock-973631576_800x533-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/iStock-973631576_800x533.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>At Bayonet Plumbing, Heating &amp; Air Conditioning, we prioritize informing our customers about key developments in the HVAC industry that will directly affect you\u2013and your AC costs. If you need a new air conditioning system, you might have heard about recent refrigerant changes that are expected to significantly raise equipment costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to new EPA regulations, R-410A refrigerant is being phased out and replaced with a more eco-friendly alternative that reduces the likelihood of refrigerant leaks. As a result, the prices of central AC units, heat pumps, and mini splits are expected to increase. Here&#8217;s what you need to know to decide whether to upgrade your current system now or wait on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/lakeland\/air-conditioning\/ac-installation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">HVAC installation in Lakeland Highlands.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-It-Better-to-Buy-an-AC-System-or-Wait-for-Refrigerant-Upgrades.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-It-Better-to-Buy-an-AC-System-or-Wait-for-Refrigerant-Upgrades-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Is It Better to Buy an AC System or Wait for Refrigerant Upgrades\" class=\"wp-image-1638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-It-Better-to-Buy-an-AC-System-or-Wait-for-Refrigerant-Upgrades-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-It-Better-to-Buy-an-AC-System-or-Wait-for-Refrigerant-Upgrades-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-It-Better-to-Buy-an-AC-System-or-Wait-for-Refrigerant-Upgrades-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-It-Better-to-Buy-an-AC-System-or-Wait-for-Refrigerant-Upgrades-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-It-Better-to-Buy-an-AC-System-or-Wait-for-Refrigerant-Upgrades.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The AIM Act\u2019s Effect on Refrigerants<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The AIM Act (American Innovation and Manufacturing Act) targets a reduction in the use of certain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), including R-410A, which replaced Freon and has been commonly used since then. R-410A is known by the brand name Puron but is also sold under brands like AZ-20, EcoFluor R410, Forane 410A, Genetron R410A, and Suva 410A. If you purchased your AC system within the last 10-15 years, it likely uses this refrigerant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>R-454B, or Opteon XL41, is the refrigerant that will be replacing R-410A. HVAC manufacturers will be required to produce systems using R-454B instead of R-410A. The considerable costs of updating manufacturing, developing new systems, and adopting new technology, along with the higher cost of R-454B, will lead to a sharp rise in equipment prices, with homeowners having to bear the brunt of price increases.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cost Implications for Consumers&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your system runs on R-410A, you don\u2019t need to rush to replace it just because of the refrigerant changes. While R-410A will continue to be available for some time, its production will gradually decrease. This reduction means its price will increase as availability drops and demand remains high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One factor driving the demand for R-410A will be repairs for systems that use it. For instance, if your AC develops a refrigerant leak, the cost of refilling the system after repairs will be higher due to the rising cost of R-410A. Sourcing it will become more challenging for HVAC companies and it will be more expensive to stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, when you do need an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/lakeland\/air-conditioning\/ac-installation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">AC replacement<\/a>, central air units, heat pumps, ductless mini splits, and VRV\/VRF systems could very well see up to a 20% price increase within the next few years. Considering that the average lifespan of cooling systems in Florida is 10-12 years, if your AC is nearing the age of replacement in the next year or two, we recommend discussing your options with us soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Benefit of Waiting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Waiting to purchase an air conditioner that uses new refrigerants offers benefits to homeowners who would prefer to wait to upgrade their cooling systems. Next-generation refrigerants are more environmentally friendly which appeals to consumers who prefer eco-friendly options. By delaying your purchase, you\u2019ll know that your AC system meets future regulations and is more sustainable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trust Bayonet Plumbing, Heating &amp; Air Conditioning to stay updated on industry changes and keep our valued customers informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>It\u2019s No Sweat: Call Bayonet! <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/contact\/message\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>Contact Bayonet Plumbing, Heating &amp; Air Conditioning<\/strong><\/a><strong> to schedule HVAC installation in Lakeland Highlands, FL today<\/strong>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This phase-out is anticipated to raise costs for HVAC systems that rely on refrigerants industry-wide. Here\u2019s what you should know if you are due for an AC installation in Lakeland Highlands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,245],"tags":[159,256],"class_list":["post-1599","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-air-conditioning","category-lakeland","tag-ac-installation","tag-lakeland-highlands"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1599"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1599"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1599\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1639,"href":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1599\/revisions\/1639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1599"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1599"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bayonet-inc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1599"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}