It’s only the third time the Environmental Protection Agency has made such a significant announcement in the 75 Years since Crown Wheele opened its HVAC Repair business in Valparaiso.
According to Andy Wheele from Crown Wheele HVAC, the change is causing anxiety and fake news as a result of the polarized economic climate around the US these days.
Wheele wants his Valparaiso and Chesterton customers to know that while many issues can put folks on one side of the aisle or the other, this new Federal Policy of refrigerant re-regulation is an example of the sorts of public policies that are both needed and will require public support to succeed.
The Best Valparaiso HVAC Contractors will Embrace & Support the Fed’s New Policy.
According to Wheele, “The more folks who understand why these policies are necessary and why this isn’t an extreme radical environmentalist plot to control American homeowners, the more likely it will be that the general public supports these regulations and climate change policies.
“Like everyone these days, I have strong opinions about politics, but HVAC re-regulation shouldn’t be an issue that divides our country. If the best HVAC Contractors all work together to educate our local communities, we will see the public become excited about the change. Our Crown Wheele technicians are informing our customers of which refrigerant they are using and the benefits of the new policies. We could do something our leaders can’t or won’t do. Bring our country back together and agree on solutions!
Unfortunately, both parties have politicians making this a polarized topic when it is 100 percent good for everyone.
The New HVAC- EPA Policy has this Warning!
The new regulation only has one drawback. These new refrigerants are slightly flammable. Since the HVAC industry was established in the 1930s, manufacturers only used nonflammable refrigerants. The announcement of slightly flammable refrigerants is bound to make some Valparaiso homeowners concerned or even afraid!
According to Wheele, these new refrigerants are “slightly” flammable. What makes refrigerants climate-friendly is their tendency to break down rapidly in the atmosphere, making them flammable.
The new refrigerants are so slightly flammable that they’re unlikely to ignite, and if they do, they’re unlikely to cause much damage. Furthermore, regulators and industry leaders developed a set of safety features to ensure their safe use.
The Flammable Refrigerants will Help Disinguish Valpo’s Best HVAC
Wheele feels strongly that the EPA’s decision was necessary to keep refrigerants from contributing to climate change.
“I’ve been in touch with some of Valpo’s best HVAC companies, and they agree the new refrigerant’s flammable concerns could be a blessing in disguise. It could pressure policymakers to raise the bar and require HVAC companies to attend frequent HVAC classes and become re-certified.
Crown Wheele and a few other HVAC companies in Valparaiso are committed to safety and ongoing education. Unfortunately, the HVAC industry is saturated with companies that need to commit to continued education and certification. It is common in Porter County to find technicians who do not use advanced diagnostic testing tools. Some haven’t been certified in 20 years. The new refrigerants will support higher standards and expectations.
Why the New EPA Policy & R-454B is Good for Porter County
What can be, unburdened by what has been freon & R-410A
The refrigerant that charged air conditioners and heat pumps for the last 15 years is going away in 2025 and will be replaced by two new, more climate-friendly ones.
On January 1st, 2025, a new US Environmental Protection Agency rule will effectively ban the refrigerant used in air conditioners and heat pumps for the last 14 years. R-410A is being banned because of its excessive contribution to climate change.
It’s only the second refrigerant re-regulation since Crown Wheele was established in Valparaiso in 1946. Two standard refrigerants will be used for newly manufactured air conditioners and heat pumps: R-32 and R-454B.
Maintaining Air Conditioning Installed in 2024 & Before?
The new HVAC Regulation only applies to equipment manufactured in 2025 or later. The equipment that has already been installed can continue to operate indefinitely with the refrigerant it was initially charged with.
Wheele also wants his Valparaiso and Chesterton HVAC customers to know he will continue to warehouse enough R-410A to service existing equipment indefinitely.
Crown Wheele is Northwest Indiana’s premier Bryant authorized dealer and stocks virtually every part and accessory for Bryant and other common furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps.
Back to the Future with Valparaiso’s Original HVAC
According to Crown Wheele’s Furnace Repair webpage, Long before it was cool to consider the homeowner’s energy efficiency, environmental impact, and safety, Crown Wheele HVAC was helping folks find solutions for improved efficiency and ventilation. We were the first HVAC in Valpo to pivot to newer refrigerants.
Other innovations and technologies introduced to Valpo include zoning HVAC systems, low-calculation software, digital tools, diagnostic testing, and SMART HVAC technology. But Crown Wheele introduced the Heat Pump to NWI with great pride!
In recent years, Crown Wheele recommended that his Porter County customers pivot from traditional ACs to Heat Pump Air Conditioners with renewable energy.
Wheele feels it’s natural for people to resist change. Still, Wheele feels it’s the HVAC industry’s responsibility to find better, safer solutions, help educate the public, and leave the politics to politicians!
Written by
James Jano Janesheski
JANO_DIGITAL
Special thanks to Andy Wheeler for helping us learn about the new EPA policies and why they are good for Valparaiso families.
Crown Wheele has been helping Valpo stay safe and comfortable for over 75 years.
USEFUL LINKS
EPA Environmental Policy Administration Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
AC Replacement | Why Heat Pumps Save Valpo Money!
Heat Pump AC Replacement | Cheat Sheet for Valpo Homeowners
