Hi. I'm Michael from Barron, and I'm here to explain some important regulatory changes that may impact you as a homeowner. Every cooling system: refrigerators, air conditioners, and heat pumps all work because of cooling agents known as refrigerants. Unless you're an HVAC nerd like me, you probably haven't thought twice about refrigerants. However, it's important to know that new regulations requiring the use of specific refrigerants in cooling systems may have an impact on you as a consumer. Starting in 2025, the most widely used refrigerant in the United States, R-410A, will be phased out. This refrigerant has been used in systems since the early nineties. The refrigerants that will replace R-410A are classified as A2L refrigerants. While these refrigerants are new to the US, there are more than sixty eight million air conditioning units already using them worldwide. So why the change? The primary reason is to reduce the impact refrigeration has on our environment. A2L refrigerants have much lower ratings for what's called global warming potential or GWP. These produce three times less of an impact on greenhouse gases than older refrigerants. So what does this all mean to you as you're looking at adding or upgrading your cooling system? One change you're likely to see is a price increase on new equipment. The main reason for this increase is that the new units have built-in safety features. Also, the refrigerant is more costly and the installation is more complex. As a result, most people could see a cost increase between ten and fifteen percent. It's also important to note that if you have equipment running on older refrigerants, you'll still be able to have technicians service and maintain them. But down the road, it might get difficult or costly to find replacement parts for older systems. Also, refrigerants can't be swapped out like you do with oil in your car. In order to get the benefits of the new refrigerant, you'll need to upgrade your cooling system. Finally, you'll notice new A2L refrigerant units have a small warning label. This label indicates low flammability, meaning the refrigerant is less likely to ignite compared to other flammable substances. Every cooling system using A2L refrigerant includes built in safety measures like leak detectors and pressure relief valves to mitigate any risk of fire. With proper professional installation and maintenance, these refrigerants are completely safe for residential and commercial use. The good news is A2L refrigerants are more energy efficient and perform better in extreme temperatures. This keeps your home more comfortable, saves you money on your electric bill, and is better for the environment. Our team is working hard to ensure a smooth transition to this new generation of refrigerants. Hopefully, you now feel a little more equipped to make an informed decision