Admin - 09:00 am -
March 16th, 2026 
Looking to replace your central air conditioner? There are so many new innovations in the world of air conditioning and air conditioning refrigerants, you may not know where to begin. So, allow us to bring you up to speed.
Phasing in and out of refrigerants
A few years ago, the EPA phased out R-22 refrigerant and replaced it with R-410A. Then in January 2025, R-410A was phased out and newer, more eco-friendly R-454B or R32 refrigerants began.
What this means for you
Even though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated the use of R-454B or R-32 in new cooling systems, these systems do come at a higher cost and the new refrigerants are not compatible with older systems.
However, there is no expiration on producing R-410A refrigerant, and our company still has R-410A systems in stock. So, you still get to choose whether to repair or replace, and which system is best for your home!
Repair or replace – that is the question!
- If your system is under 10 years old and uses R-410A, and if past repairs have been infrequent and inexpensive, call us for a repair. You are not required to upgrade to a newer unit that uses R-454B or R-32.
- If your system is over 10 years old, a repair estimate is 50 percent or more of a new unit’s price, you’re experiencing multiple breakdowns annually, and energy bills are increasing significantly, you may choose to replace your equipment. You can have it replaced with equipment produced before 2025 that uses R-410A refrigerant or a newer unit that uses R-454B or R-32 refrigerants. Generally, the pre-2025 systems will be less expensive to purchase and install, but the newer models will be more environmentally friendly.
NOTE: You cannot swap R-410A with R-454B or R-32.
Contact us for the solution that’s right for you
We understand all this new information may sound confusing, but Spring Brook Ice & Fuel is here to help! For more information on refrigerants, repairs, and replacements, call us at (860) 225-6491 or contact us.
