Any advantage to waiting until 2025?
 

Are there any advantages to waiting until 2025 and installing a unit that requires the new refrigerant?

Yes, you will be saving the planet. That is the whole point of the new law.

my first lasted just over 10 years.

R-32 and R-454B are available now. It is confusing since some manufacturers use proprietary names instead.

Ours had to be re-laced at 13 years @$9,000 to replace

If we replace our 2008 original system before 2025, can we still get the banned refrigerant or is it a closed system?

Mine is almost 22 years old, works perfectly. No issues whatsoever.

You should be able to get well over 20 years from a unit with proper, twice-yearly service and changing the filter every 90 days.

I agree. HVAC units are increasing in price because the technology is changing giving us more efficient units in addition to the new refrigerant. I also agree most of these techs really don't know all the details. If your HVAC unit is over 15 years old, you need to plan on replacing it at some point after that. It could last 20 years but there is no way to know for sure. Also know if your unit is 15 or more years old the replacement will be a lot more efficient so you will be saving a significant amount of money on your electric bill.

That should include replacing the capacitor and contactor every 5-10 years.

I believe that a true drop in replacement for R410a has not been developed because of greed. There is a lot more profit in replacing the system as opposed to replacing the refrigerant.

I plan on keeping my system as long as possible as I think it is probable that new compatible refrigerant will eventually become available.

The new units will only be significantly more efficient if you pay for the upgrades such as variable speed or multispeed compressors and indoor fans. You probably won't see much difference if you replace it with a standard single stage compressor.

Supposedly, there will be newer technology in the units with the new refrigerant making the units more efficient. If you can wait until 2025, that would be best so you can see what's available and the cost vs efficiency.

Remember, here in Florida where we use the A/C almost all year long you need to consider efficiency in the equation on what to buy because the cost of electric is always going to increase over time.

If you have a 20+ year old unit, although it's still working, you are most likely paying a lot more for electric that adds up every year than with a new unit. If you are in this situation, you probably want to calmly contact some HVAC companies as you have time and get estimates on what's available so you can plan and replace it under your own schedule vs rushing when it fails. Also, don't be fooled by companies telling you, you need to replace now to avoid the new units with the new refrigerant. Over time, the old refrigerant and parts will get more and more costly. They will not tell you this. Hope this helps.

Key word is "BOSTON"

I have a double in Ohio built in 1995, both units going strong.
 

I have a double in Ohio built in 1995, both units going strong. If you have an honest repair person maintenance is not high. I have both in Ohio and Florida good people.

I'm not an HVAC person, but based on 25+ years of commercial construction, this is what I've figured out.

1. Units built & installed in the 80's & 90's, seem to last 20+ years, with reasonable maintenance.

2. Units built from about 2005 forward, seem to have a life span of closer to 7-10 years. They almost all come from China.

3. On the newer units, expensive maintenance doesn't seem to help much, they're still 7-10 years. Just change the filters.

4. On any unit over over 15-20 year's old, you can almost save enough on energy, for a 3-4 year payback. I never repair units over 10 years old .... just replace 'em.

5. One out of every 4-5 units will go bad within a year or 2.

6. Buy the CORRECT size unit. Buying a larger or smaller unit than the specs mandate, is a ticket to problems.

7. If a change in specs (refrigerant) is coming, hold off replacing until the change is implemented. Computers systems are upgraded on about a 1 year cycle, AC's aren't that fast, but close enough. Why buy old technology?


JMOYMMV.