You might not think much about how your air conditioner works, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Safford, in addition to 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 probably has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 928-432-6018. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will include details on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its production and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it might create an issue if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, as only limited quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. Because it requires a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. As a consequence, it could also sometime be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption by approximately 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.
B&D Air Conditioning Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you require repairs. But as we talked about earlier, refrigerant repairs might be more expensive due to the reduced amounts that are accessible.
In addition to that, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re getting lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and may even decrease your utility expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, B&D Air Conditioning has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 928-432-6018 to get started today with a free estimate.