The Journey Towards Low GWP Refrigerants and Environmental Innovation

In today's business landscape, sustainability is not a trend—it's a necessity. At Lennox, we take the responsibility to reduce our environmental impact very seriously. As a leader in the HVACR industry, we're committed to advancing sustainability through innovative solutions.

We demonstrate this commitment by participating in the U.S. Department of Energy's Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge and the Commercial Building Heat Pump Accelerator. These initiatives encourage manufacturers to develop high-efficiency, cost-effective heat pumps that perform optimally in cold climates, helping to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. By taking part in these programs, Lennox is contributing to the advancement of heat pump technologies that are not only sustainable but also accessible and efficient for residential and commercial use. This further underscores our commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship in the HVACR industry.

Another key aspect of our sustainability journey is transitioning to low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in our light commercial and ducted residential HVAC products. The 2020 American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM) and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Technology Transition rule require transitioning from high GWP refrigerants, such as R-410A, to low GWP refrigerants, such as R-454B and R-32. At Lennox, it's about more than meeting a regulatory requirement. It's an opportunity to reduce the HVACR industry's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Our new refrigerants represent remarkable advancements to reduce the global warming potential of refrigerants in our products by as much as 78%.[1]

For the past few years, we've prepared to make this transition seamless for our customers. Our teams have been deeply involved in analysis, design, and rigorous validation to ensure our products are optimized for low GWP refrigerants. We've rolled out a comprehensive portfolio of low GWP products across our light commercial and ducted residential HVAC lines. These products are designed to meet the 2025 refrigerant regulations, focusing on performance and sustainability.

Our Lennox Residential HVAC heat pumps, AC units, Lennox Commercial HVAC rooftop units, and ducted split systems will all incorporate the environmentally responsible R-454B refrigerant. All lines are equipped with state-of-the-art refrigerant detection systems engineered to detect and mitigate leaks. Our joint venture, Samsung Lennox HVAC North America, will expand our product offerings in ductless AC and heat pump markets, leveraging R-32.

Our commitment to innovation also extends to flexibility, with products like the multi-refrigerant coil from Advanced Distributor Products (ADP) designed to help contractors and distributors seamlessly transition from R-410A to any low GWP refrigerant. Our efforts are further complemented by Allied Air Enterprises' full line of regulatory-compliant residential and commercial equipment. With a focus on flexibility, Allied Air is simplifying the transition to new refrigerants by offering indoor coils and air handlers that are field-convertible to R-454B.

From training and resources to innovative product designs that help ensure compatibility and flexibility, we're working to provide guidance and support to our customers. We are dedicated to helping our customers navigate the transition. Our unwavering commitment to sustainability and dedication to innovation drive us forward. By investing in cutting-edge technology and establishing a culture of excellence, we are positioning Lennox as a leader in sustainable HVACR solutions.

Explore our Lennox Residential HVAC, Lennox Commercial HVAC, Advanced Distributor Products, and Allied Air Enterprises resource pages for more information and FAQs on the low GWP refrigerant transition.

Lennox Commercial HVAC: https://www.lennoxcommercial.com/resources/low-gwp/

Lennox Residential HVAC: https://www.lennoxpros.com/news/transitioning-to-low-gwp-refrigerants?clear=true

Advanced Distributor Products: https://www.adpnow.com/flexcoil/

Allied Air Enterprises: https://www.alliedair.com/blog/hvacs-new-era-adapting-to-regulations

[1] Opteon? XL41 (R-454B) closely matches the performance of R-410A and, in some cases, provides superior capacity and efficiency. Additionally, Opteon? XL41 (R-454B) has a GWP of 466: that's a 78% reduction vs. R-410A. Opteon