{"id":336094,"date":"2025-10-27T13:21:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T13:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/336094\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T13:21:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T13:21:20","slug":"old-ac-units-still-repairable-despite-new-regulations-experts-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/336094\/","title":{"rendered":"Old AC units still repairable despite new regulations, experts say"},"content":{"rendered":"

HOUSTON, Texas <\/strong> \u2013 Some air conditioning repair companies are telling homeowners they must replace their entire HVAC systems due to new refrigerant regulations, but industry experts say that\u2019s not the case.<\/p>\n

KPRC\u2019s Amy Davis is addressing this issue after questions from 2 Helps You.<\/a><\/p>\n

New refrigerant laws spark debate on HVAC replacements. KPRC’s Amy Davis answers a ‘2 Helps You’ question about AC repairs. (Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n

While federal regulations now require new HVAC systems manufactured after January 1, 202<\/a>5, to use the latest refrigerant R-454B, experts say existing systems can still be repaired and maintained using alternative solutions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not being told the truth,\u201d says Blair Bodensteiner, owner of Bodensteiner Services<\/a>, referring to customers who are told replacement is their only option. His company has been in the AC business for more than 60 years.<\/p>\n

The issue came to light after multiple homeowners reported being told their older units couldn\u2019t be repaired due to discontinued refrigerants. <\/p>\n

One homeowner, Candice Hunter, was quoted $14,551 for a complete system replacement after being told her existing unit couldn\u2019t be serviced because the refrigerant was no longer available.<\/p>\n

Understanding refrigerant changes<\/p>\n

The HVAC industry has gone through several refrigerant transitions:<\/p>\n