How often should I have my heat pump serviced?

You should have your heat pump serviced at least once a year. If you use your heat pump for heating and cooling, you should service it twice annually, in the fall and the spring.

What is the life span of a heat pump?

The average life span of a heat pump is 10-15 years. Because heat pumps run year-round to heat and cool your home, they don’t always last as long as a typical heating or cooling system. However, you can extend the life span by ensuring that your unit is routinely maintained by an HVAC professional.

Understanding R-454B Refrigerant

Why Are HVAC Refrigerants Changing in 2025?

As of January 1, 2025, HVAC systems in the United States will begin transitioning from R-410A refrigerant to newer, more environmentally friendly alternatives like R-454B. This change is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s initiative to reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants and minimize their environmental impact. Our team at Eagle Air is staying on top of this change in order to deliver the best possible HVAC services and recommendations to our clients.

What Is R-454B?

R-454B is a low-GWP refrigerant that has been designed to replace R-410A, which was widely used in residential and commercial HVAC systems. R-454B is classified as an A2L refrigerant, meaning it has low toxicity and a low flammability risk, making it a safer option for both indoor and outdoor use. Compared to R-410A, R-454B has approximately 78% lower GWP at 466, which is a key factor in reducing the environmental impact of HVAC systems. R-454B has the necessary properties for high efficiency and optimal performance in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. This allows it to be significantly more eco-friendly than R-410A while still providing similar performance characteristics.

Benefits of R-454B for Homeowners & Businesses in California

The adoption of R-454B offers several advantages for both homeowners and businesses in Livermore and the surrounding areas. Some of these benefits include:

Environmental impact: With a GWP 78% lower than R-410A, R-454B is a much greener option. Its use significantly reduces the overall carbon footprint of HVAC systems, contributing to a healthier planet.

Energy efficiency: R-454B’s superior thermodynamic properties allow HVAC systems to run more efficiently, potentially lowering energy consumption. This translates to lower utility bills for homeowners and businesses.

Compliance with future regulations: As regulations around refrigerant use become more stringent, switching to R-454B ensures that HVAC systems are in line with future rules, avoiding the need for costly retrofits or replacements later

System longevity: R-454B systems are designed to provide long-term reliability, offering better performance with fewer maintenance issues, which can save money on repairs and extend the life of the system.

What Does This Mean for the HVAC Industry?

The shift to R-454B has significant implications for HVAC manufacturers, contractors, and service providers. The transition to R-454B requires changes in equipment design and manufacturing processes, which may lead to higher upfront costs for HVAC systems. However, these systems tend to be more efficient and provide long-term savings.

Also, with the new refrigerant, HVAC technicians will need to be thoroughly trained on how to provide service for systems that use this refrigerant. Fortunately, our team at Eagle Air has spent significant time preparing for this change, so our technicians are ready to hit the ground running with these new systems.

Additionally, as R-410A is phased out, it will be harder to find replacement parts and components for systems that use this type of refrigerant. While you may not need to replace your HVAC system right away, it will be important to plan for your replacement if you have a system that uses R-410A.

Choose Eagle Air for Expert HVAC Services

In regard to the 2025 refrigerant changes, Eagle Air Conditioning is aware, knowledgeable, and on top of the change. Our technicians are all highly trained and ready to provide the service and advice you need around R-454B refrigerant. Whether you are ready to have a new system installed or want to discuss options for a system that still uses R-410A, you can trust our team to guide you in the right direction.

If you have questions about the switch to R-454B refrigerant, reach out to Eagle Air Conditioning today.