With New Regrigerant Law for RV AC Units Can Older Lower Air Boxes be Used
Published 06/15/2026
Question:
I contacted etrailer about a replacement for the ac unit in my 5th wheel. The tech said I need a complete unit because of the change in Freon in 2025. Given that the unit is self contained this makes no sense. There may be reasons for needing a complete system like thermostat or air box compatibility, but it is not Freon. Paul Engineer
asked by: Paul B
Expert Reply:
Hey Paul, this is a great question. One that I've posed to our RV manufacturers as well and the issue is that the refrigerant is so different that the components in the lower air box and thermostat just don't work at all. Everything has to run differently to use the new refrigerant so the older components and electronics basically do not send correct signals to the main AC unit up above and that's why it all has to be changed. It's been a massive deal in the RV AC world and a pretty big headache so if there was an easier way someone would have found it.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
GE Appliances Low-Profile RV AC System w/ Heat Pump - 15,000 Btu - Non-Ducted - White - R32
- RV Air Conditioners
- Complete AC System
- Heat and Cool
- 15000 Btu
- Low Profile
- Single Zone
- Rooftop
- Non-Ducted
- White
- GE Appliances
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Paul B.
6/15/2026
I’m still not convinced it is Freon - for example, does a thermostat measure temperature differently because the unit in the ceiling has different Freon? Of course some units measure temp at the thermostat and others at the unit and the thermostat is just a control point, but that is a different issue.