Strategic HVAC Planning for Legacy and Rental Properties on Nantucket
If your property still uses an R-22 or R-410A HVAC system, now is the most important time to act. Waiting until failure could leave you with no cost-effective options, incompatible systems across your buildings, or a peak-season emergency when equipment and labor are hardest to secure.
At North Winds Mechanical, we are still installing in-stock R-410A systems, offering the best overall value on the market today. At the same time, we are leading the transition to A2L-compliant systems, including both air-source and water-source heat pump configurations already installed here on Nantucket.
Why R-410A Still Offers the Best Value for Homeowners
Lower Equipment Cost with Comparable Efficiency
R-410A systems still cost 30 to 40 percent less than A2L systems with similar SEER and HSPF performance. For legacy homes, rentals, and multi-system properties, this cost difference can translate to tens of thousands saved.
Available and Fully Code-Compliant
R-410A systems can still be installed legally in 2025. Supply is limited but not yet gone, and North Winds maintains island inventory with experienced technicians ready to install.
Simplified Long-Term Support
R-410A is well-supported. Technicians are familiar with it, tools are standardized, and parts are readily available today. Choosing it now means fewer service complications for years to come.
A2L Refrigerant Costs Are Rising Quickly
One of the leading replacements for R-410A, R-454B, has increased in price by approximately 400% since January 2025. This surge is due to low production volume, limited availability, and growing national demand.
This kind of price volatility means that homeowners forced into an A2L system later this year could face much higher total install costs than they would today with a high-efficiency R-410A system.
Why Refrigerant Consistency Matters on Multi-System Properties
Many Nantucket homes use more than one HVAC system—main house, guest quarters, pool cabanas, garages, or rental wings. Replacing one system with A2L and leaving others on R-410A or R-22 leads to:
Incompatible refrigerants
More expensive service visits
Conflicts with zoning controls or shared ductwork
Delays when a technician cannot service both types on the same day
Choosing to maintain a single refrigerant type across all systems reduces long-term service costs, protects your investment, and allows for flexible replacement planning in the future.
R-22 Systems Require Immediate Replacement
If your system uses R-22, it is past its serviceable life. The refrigerant is no longer in production, most components are discontinued, and even minor failures now result in full system replacement.
These systems should be replaced immediately with either a matched R-410A system (if you want to preserve refrigerant consistency) or an A2L-ready option or geothermal for future-proofing.
Geothermal Systems Have Already Transitioned, and We’re Leading the Way
North Winds has already installed some of the first A2L-compliant geothermal heat pumps in the United States, right here on Nantucket. We offer both self-contained and split-system geothermal solutions designed for the island’s unique architecture and climate needs.
Geothermal systems offer:
Longest lifespan in residential HVAC
No outdoor condenser noise or salt exposure
30 percent Federal Tax Credit through the end of 2025
Stable refrigerant supply with no future transition risk
Best year-round energy savings, especially paired with radiant or ducted zones
Whether you are building new, renovating, or replacing aging equipment, geothermal is the highest-tier solution for homeowners planning long-term.
Strategic HVAC Planning, Built for Nantucket
Our team at North Winds helps homeowners and property managers make smart, forward-looking decisions. We provide:
Full equipment assessments by system and building
Matching replacements to maintain refrigerant compatibility
Inventory-based scheduling for in-stock R-410A systems
Roadmaps for staged A2L transitions across your property
Custom geothermal system design and installation
Rebate filing, permit handling, and planning support
If One System Fails, That’s the Time to Plan for All of Them
Avoid mismatched equipment, rental interruptions, or last-minute expenses. Use this replacement window to future-proof your home, maintain refrigerant consistency, and save on rising system costs.
📞 Call 508-825-6297