Which Air Conditioning Refrigerants Are Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, since it contains chemicals.

Depending on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Reinholds, plus how these phaseouts impact you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 717-216-0846. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will have info on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred 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 cooling properly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling costs!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can cause difficulties if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, as only limited quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it needs an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the possibility to lead to global warming. As a result, it could also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming likelihood—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy expenditure by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be passed on to you through your cooling bills.

County Line Mechanical LLC Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant-related repairs may be pricier because of the low amounts that are accessible.

Not to mention, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re receiving a lot of other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and might even reduce your cooling costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, County Line Mechanical LLC provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 717-216-0846 to get started right away with a free estimate.