Get Ready for A2L Refrigerants

For people looking to start or build a career in the HVACR industry, it’s important to stay up to date on the latest trends in HVAC & Refrigeration. One important trend impacting the industry is the phasing out of certain refrigerants that cause damage to the environment. A2L refrigerants, R32, R-454B, and R-1234yf, are recently-approved alternatives that are less harmful to the environment. 

Technicians will be encountering them in the near future. Here’s a quick primer about safety and use of A2L refrigerants.

How are A2L refrigerants different from traditional refrigerants?

With the phase out of R-22 complete and the phase out of R-410a in progress, the industry is replacing them with more environmentally friendly options, such as A2L. 

Why are A2L refrigerants an up-and-coming choice for new AC systems? Along with a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP), this class of refrigerants offers lower flammability and less toxicity than some other new options. Another reason is efficiency: A2Ls have higher cooling efficiency that can lead to energy savings.

How do A2Ls compare to other new refrigerants and how can technicians prepare? Here’s what you need to know.

Flammability risk

A2L refrigerants are considered low-toxicity and mildly flammable. For technicians working with them, that’s great news. As compared to A3 refrigerants such as A-290, A2L is less likely to ignite around electronic components and less likely to cause dangerous conditions if leaks occur. 

However, technicians need to be properly trained (here’s one source) before attempting to handle or worth with A2L refrigerants. 

Here are a few tips that you’ll need to know:

• Use of leak detection equipment is a must. 
• Pay attention to safety labels on equipment: A2L cylinders will have red bands to indicate a mildly flammable refrigerant. 
• A2L cylinders will also feature a safety valve that releases just enough refrigerant to make an over-pressurized cylinder safe. 

Where A2L refrigerants can be used

A2Ls are approved only for residential use at this time. 

Although A2L refrigerants have the same rated pressure as R-410a and share many characteristics, A2L is NOT approved as a drop-in replacement. A2L refrigerants can only be used in systems specifically designed to use them. 

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HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.