You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Genoa, plus how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at 847-306-8990. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will have info on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It varies. If your air conditioning is running as designed, you can continue to use it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it may lead to difficulties if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, as only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the discontinuation of R-22, most new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it needs an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it could also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy expenditure by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be sent on to you through your cooling bills.
Assured Appliance & Heating & Air Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we talked about previously, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more expensive due to the reduced levels on hand.
Not to mention, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re getting lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and may even reduce your electrical costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Assured Appliance & Heating & Air offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 847-306-8990 to begin now with a free estimate.
