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Heat Pump Refrigerant Uncertainty

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charlie123
charlie123 Member Posts: 17
in A-C, Heat Pumps & Refrigeration

Hi all, I'm considering converting from oil to heat pumps but I'm wondering if this is not the time and I should hold off.

My concern is based on the fact that I see R-454B is being banned in Europe due to presence of PFAS, and closer to home, it seems that Maine is also restricting R-454B.

This would leave me to look into systems using R-32 but it would be nice to know where the industry is going to wind up.

Will there be a decision to invest in R-454B due to the further decrease in GWP that it offers compared to R-32, or is that overshadowed by the PFAS and will the industry settle on R-32?

I realize that I'm asking for the crystal balls to be broken out, but it would probably help the industry if it could settle on something for the next 10-15 years or so.

Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,460

    Trying to predict the future on things like this is, frankly, a mug's game. If you really want to go heat pump — and they can be very good in the right application — go with the best you can find now. The rules will change, yes — but how, or to what, is impossible to predict.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 12,386

    There must be something that is Flammable, Combustable, Toxic, Poisonous, Causes Cancer in California, is very corrosive, and is bad for the ozone layer, that we all can settle on. don't you think?

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,061
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1896181#Comment_1896181

    Methyl Formate

    EdTheHeaterMan
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,061

    don't worry, the fact that we as a species forgot how to make copper tubing around 2005 means that you'll be replacing it before you have to worry about a repair that requires recharging it.

    EdTheHeaterMan
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,907

    Beware of the current hype that’s pushing for heat pumps everywhere. If you have an older home, a heat pump may not cut it.

    As far as what’s ahead: I’m hearing scuttlebutt about r290 (propane) being the next thing coming down the pike.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,582

    @charlie123 , what system do you have now?

    All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Baltimore, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,460
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1896187#Comment_1896187

    I wasn't going to say that… but the fact of the matter is that if you are pretty much anywhere north of New York City, you would be well advised to keep fuel based — in your case oil — heat for the colder days, as even a very good low temperature heat pump isn't going to keep you comfortable.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 12,386
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1896189#Comment_1896189

    The internet says it will! …and everything on the internet has to be true, right? Or the govenrment will protect us from anything that is not true, right?

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,316

    R454B & R32 are not all that different. In fact I think 454B contains some R-32 or vise versa.

    I have herd nothing about 454B being banned. I have only herd it is or was in short supply.

    See the attached

    EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0005-0007_attachment_43.pdf

    R-290 is already in use mostly in the food service industry and has been around for several years.

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