I didn't know flammable refrigerants weren't allowed in buildings and they had to change the laws. You ever see that movie Idiocricy? That's 30% the people that work on AC units in America. The flammability tests I've seen are in controlled Laboratories. I think manufacturers could do a better job and have them in real world applications where the refrigerant is mixed with oil and other contaminants from brazing and operation, leak sealant additives, 410a, etc. Another big concern - What's going to happen to insurance rates for company employees and fleets? How about insurance rates for homeowners and businesses/commercial building owners? In addition, the whole premise of GWP is hypocritical and absurd. HVAC companies are mandated to recover refrigerants anyway. Give additional tax breaks to recycle and everyone will do it. Lastly, A2L refrigerants use the same amount of energy as 410a. So they are not more energy efficient. I really think the answer to GWP is instead focus on creating clean energy. Right? Mandate cars that charge their own batteries so you don't need to plug it in. That makes sense. Mandate solar power and geothermal. That makes sense. Magnetic energy, look that up. I'm not opposed to change and I like that the refrigerant tanks are smaller and the systems use less. I do like that A2L's have a lower GWP to a degree. I just don't see any significant benefit that's going to save the world so to speak. Changing safety laws and the potential hazards of fires, explosions and loss of life/injury is not worth the risk. I think a better idea would be to pick a few states and roll it out there. Give it a few years and see what happens. Learn from mistakes in a smaller sample than the whole country. I'm not as informed as ya'll but I think these are all valid points. Forgot to mention the cost of the A2L equipment is higher. You see what I mean? The more you think about it the more it seems like a bad idea for the vast majority of people. God bless us all.
Lots of great comments and perspectives here. We appreciate you joining the conversation. Most residential refrigerators have converted to R600 or R290 to move to very low GWP refrigerants. The science and testing have been in play for decades and the HFC phasedown is not only mandated by the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, but the AIM Act as well. We will see many changes worldwide over the next few years in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. Thanks for joining in!!
