Refrigerant
The working fluid that carries heat between the indoor and outdoor coils of an AC or heat pump. Modern systems use lower-global-warming refrigerants (the industry moved to A2L blends like R-454B and R-32 in 2025); older R-410A and R-22 systems face rising service costs as supplies tighten.
The longer answer
Refrigerant doesn't get consumed in normal operation — a sealed system holds its charge for life. 'Needs a recharge every summer' means a leak is being deferred annually. Find-and-fix the leak on younger equipment; on older systems, put the annual top-off money toward replacement.
The 2025 federal transition to A2L refrigerants (lower global warming potential) changed equipment design, handling requirements, and leak-detection sensors. It's not a reason to replace early, but it's a line in the math when an R-410A system needs a major repair anyway.
The Seattle angle
New equipment installed in 2025 and beyond runs on A2L refrigerants (R-454B, R-32). Existing R-410A systems continue to be serviceable — but repair-vs-replace math shifts as R-410A costs climb over the next decade.
Where this decision happens
Nearby in the glossary
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