You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it has to have refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, 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 go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Troy, in addition to how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 937-558-9478. You can also check the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will have information on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its creation and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It varies. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may cause a problem if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be higher-priced, since only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it calls for a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. Because of that, it could also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—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 may be passed on to you through your electrical costs.
Edington Heating & Cooling Inc Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant-related repairs might be pricier since there are the low levels on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re receiving lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and might even decrease your cooling bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Edington Heating & Cooling Inc has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 937-558-9478 to start now with a free estimate.