You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Reinholds, as well as how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 717-216-0846. 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 type of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, banned its creation and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It differs. If your air conditioning is operating properly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling bills!
If you keep your air conditioner, it can cause difficulties if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. As it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it may also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some brands have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy expenditure by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be forwarded on to you through your utility expenses.
County Line Mechanical LLC Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you require repairs. But as we reviewed beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs could be more expensive because of the limited levels on hand.
Not to mention, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re experiencing lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is aging, we advise installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and may even reduce your cooling costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, County Line Mechanical LLC offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 717-216-0846 to get started now with a free estimate.