Flammable Refrigerants Used in Homes: What Rancho Cordova Homeowners Need to Know
The Changing Landscape of Home Refrigerants
If you have heard that newer air conditioners and heat pumps will use “flammable” refrigerants, it is completely reasonable to have questions. Refrigerant rules have already moved us away from older products like R-22 and now R-410A, and the next generation of refrigerants is arriving in 2025 and beyond. Here in Rancho Cordova and the greater Sacramento area, where summer temperatures regularly climb into the 90s and 100s, your cooling system is not a luxury. It is essential, so any change to what goes inside that system needs to be understood.
At Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning, we want homeowners to know exactly what is changing, why it is happening, and what it means for safety inside your home. The short version is that new refrigerants are designed to be more environmentally friendly but are classified as “A2L,” which means they are mildly flammable and require specific handling and installation practices. When the system is designed and installed correctly, these refrigerants can operate safely in homes just like the products they replace.
This article explains what A2L refrigerants are, how options like R-454B and R-32 differ from R-410A, and how our technicians manage the safety side so you can feel comfortable with the equipment in your home.
What Are A2L Refrigerants?
You will see the term “A2L” used a lot when people talk about the next generation of refrigerants. It is a safety classification from ASHRAE Standard 34 that describes two things: toxicity and flammability.
The “A” means the refrigerant is considered lower toxicity for people under normal use conditions.
The “2L” means it has low flammability with a slow flame speed.
For comparison, older common residential refrigerants like R-22 and R-410A are in the A1 category. That means lower toxicity and no flame propagation in standard test conditions. A2L refrigerants move from “no flame” to “mildly flammable,” but they are still very different from highly flammable gases like propane or gasoline vapors.
In practical terms, an A2L refrigerant:
Needs a specific mix of refrigerant and air to ignite.
Needs a strong enough ignition source in the right location.
Burns relatively slowly compared to fuels like natural gas.
Because of those characteristics, A2L refrigerants can be used safely in homes when equipment is designed for them and installed according to updated mechanical and fire codes.
Why the Change: Environmental Regulations
If R-410A works well and is not flammable, why change at all? The answer comes down to global warming potential and new regulations in the United States and worldwide.
Two key ideas drive this transition:
Ozone depletion: Older refrigerants like R-22 contained chlorine, which damaged the ozone layer. That is why R-22 was completely phased out in 2020.
Global warming potential (GWP): Even refrigerants that do not affect the ozone layer can trap heat in the atmosphere. R-410A has a GWP a little over 2,000, which means one pound of R-410A released into the air has more warming impact than roughly 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide.
To address that second issue, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act in the United States are phasing down high GWP HFC refrigerants. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the AIM Act sets an HFC phasedown schedule that ratchets down production and import over the next decade, with significant reductions already in place as of 2025. As the supply of R-410A shrinks under that framework, manufacturers are required to move to refrigerants with much lower GWP for new equipment.
Newer A2L refrigerants can cut GWP by more than half compared to R-410A while still providing efficient cooling and heating performance. For homeowners in Rancho Cordova and Sacramento, that means the next system you install is likely to use one of these newer products, even though your existing system can continue to operate on R-410A until it reaches the end of its life.
R-454B and R-32: The New Go To Options
Two refrigerants you will hear about most often in residential systems are R-454B and R-32. Both are A2L refrigerants with significantly lower GWP than R-410A and no ozone depletion potential.
R-454B
R-454B is a blend that many manufacturers are choosing as the primary replacement for R-410A in ducted air conditioners and heat pumps.
Key points for homeowners:
Global warming potential around 466, much lower than R-410A.
Classified as A2L, so it is mildly flammable with a slow flame speed.
Operates at pressures similar to R-410A, which helps manufacturers redesign equipment without completely changing every component.
Requires equipment specifically built and listed for R-454B. It is not a drop in replacement for older R-410A systems.
If you install a new central air conditioner or heat pump in the next few years, there is a good chance the outdoor unit will be designed for R-454B or a similar A2L blend, depending on the manufacturer.
R-32
R-32 is another A2L refrigerant that has been used internationally for years and is already common in some mini split systems.
Important characteristics:
Global warming potential around 675, still much lower than R-410A.
A2L classification with low toxicity and mild flammability.
Often used in ductless mini split and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems because of its efficiency characteristics.
Here in Northern California, many high efficiency mini splits already rely on R-32. If you have a ductless system installed by Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning, we will clearly label the outdoor unit so you know what refrigerant it uses and how it should be serviced.
Safety Considerations With Mildly Flammable Refrigerants
The word “flammable” naturally gets attention. A fair question many homeowners ask is, “If this refrigerant can burn, is it safe to have in my home?”
The safety picture has several parts:
System design: Equipment that uses A2L refrigerants is engineered to limit the total charge size and to contain the refrigerant inside a sealed system. Manufacturers design indoor coils, outdoor units, and line sets with specific safety margins and testing.
Building and fire codes: Mechanical and fire codes are being updated to spell out where and how A2L equipment can be installed, including ventilation requirements, allowed refrigerant quantities in certain room sizes, and protection around ignition sources.
Field practices: Technicians must use tools and recovery machines rated for A2L refrigerants, follow strict leak check procedures, and manage refrigerant in a way that prevents accumulation in enclosed spaces.
In normal operation, the refrigerant stays inside copper tubing, coils, and the compressor. The amount of refrigerant in a typical residential system is limited, and ignition requires a combination of a leak, the right concentration, and an ignition source in the same location at the same time. With proper design and code compliance, that scenario is extremely unlikely.
For context, many items already inside your home involve controlled use of flammable materials, including natural gas ranges, water heaters, and gas furnaces. A2L refrigerants fall into that same category of managed risk, where design standards and professional installation keep the system safe for everyday use.
What This Means for Homeowners
From the outside, an A2L system will look a lot like the equipment you are used to. The biggest changes are behind the scenes in the refrigerant itself, the safety labeling, and the way technicians handle the system.
Here are the main practical impacts for homeowners in Rancho Cordova and Sacramento:
Existing systems can still be serviced. If you currently have an R-410A system, you do not need to rush to replace it just because A2L refrigerants are coming. We can still repair and maintain these systems as long as parts and refrigerant remain available.
Replacement systems will likely use A2L refrigerants. When your system eventually needs replacement, the new equipment may use R-454B, R-32, or another low GWP refrigerant, depending on the brand and model you select.
Equipment and refrigerants cannot be mixed. You cannot charge an older R-410A system with R-454B or R-32. The compressor, expansion device, lubricating oil, and charge amount are all engineered for a specific refrigerant. That is one reason professional installation is so important.
Some line sets may need replacement or additional verification. On certain installations, the manufacturer may require a new line set, specific wall thickness, or a verified maximum line length for A2L refrigerants. Our team will review those details during your estimate.
Long term operating cost and environmental impact should improve. Lower GWP refrigerants help reduce the environmental impact if a leak occurs, and many of the new systems are designed to be more efficient than older models.
If you are planning a system replacement, it is a good idea to ask which refrigerant your new system will use, how the manufacturer has addressed safety, and what that means for long term service. Our comfort advisors are happy to walk through those details in plain language so you can make an informed decision.
Service and Installation Implications
Behind the scenes, A2L refrigerants change how technicians like ours handle installation, service, and recovery. Homeowners do not have to manage these details, but understanding them helps explain why using a certified contractor matters more than ever.
Key service implications include:
Specialized tools and recovery equipment. Recovery machines, vacuum pumps, and leak detectors used with A2L refrigerants must be designed to limit potential ignition sources and handle mildly flammable gases safely. That includes features like sealed motors and specific ventilation requirements during recovery.
Updated training and certifications. In addition to standard EPA Section 608 certification, technicians need training on A2L safety, handling procedures, and updated codes. At Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning, our team receives ongoing education as manufacturers roll out new equipment platforms.
Careful leak detection and repair. Because A2L refrigerants are mildly flammable, locating and repairing leaks promptly is even more important. We use approved leak detection methods and verify repairs before recharging the system.
Job site safety planning. On installation and major repair jobs, our technicians plan where to place recovery machines, how to ventilate the work area, and how to keep ignition sources away from any possible refrigerant discharge during service.
Clear labeling and homeowner education. New equipment includes labels showing the refrigerant type and A2L classification. We take time at startup to explain what that label means, where your system components are located, and what you should do if you ever suspect a refrigerant leak.
These practices are not optional. They are part of the evolving mechanical and fire codes that allow A2L refrigerants to be used safely inside homes in Northern California and across the country.
Fox Family Expertise and How We Can Help
As regulations change, homeowners understandably ask, “Who makes sure all of this is being done safely in my home?” That is where choosing the right contractor matters.
Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning is based in Rancho Cordova and serves Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, and the surrounding Northern California communities. Our technicians work on residential systems in this climate every day, so we understand how new refrigerants, high summer temperatures, and local code requirements all fit together.
When you trust our team with your cooling or heat pump project, you can expect:
Honest explanations of which refrigerant your system will use and why.
Clear comparisons between keeping an existing R-410A system running and replacing it with new A2L equipment.
Recommendations that factor in efficiency, safety, and long term serviceability, not just the lowest upfront price.
Installation and service practices that follow manufacturer guidelines, current codes, and best practices for A2L refrigerants.
If you are thinking about replacing an older air conditioner, adding a mini split, or you simply want to know what the refrigerant change means for your home, we are here to help. You can call us or schedule a visit online.
Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning serves Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, and Northern California. If you need help with flammable refrigerants and new HVAC systems, give us a call!
