(NewsNation) — Anyone hoping to repair or replace their air conditioning units this summer may face higher prices.
New federal rules are contributing to a nationwide refrigerant shortage, meaning getting cool could cost you just as it’s about to get hot.
Starting this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandating a switch to more climate friendly refrigerants, but the rush to roll out new coolants has set off a supply crisis.
“During the Biden administration, the EPA enacted an HVAC management rule,” said Jorge Alvarez, co-founder of iGas USA. “And why it was done, nobody knows. It was simply done in order to speed up the process, the EPA said. Let’s speed it up. Let’s bring this change to happen within 15 months in lieu of 10 years or 20 years.”
That fast-track shift means short supply and skyrocketing costs.
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“Refrigerant cost, because there is no refrigerant available, is up 600%,” Alvarez said. “A 5-ton air conditioning system a year ago installed used to cost roughly $8000 today. That exact same system is a minimum of $11,000.”
The shortage is driven by regulation, global supply issues and surging demand, and a big chunk of the coolant supply now comes from China.
“Eighty percent of the refrigerant gas we need today is now coming from China. That’s 100% against Trump’s initiative,” he said.
So what can homeowners do? Experts say if your unit is more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace but act quickly. Waiting could mean paying even more or sweating it out.
“Americans in 2025 will pay in excess of $25 billion extra for… air conditioning simply because of this management rule,” Alvarez said.
