You might not think much about how your air conditioner works, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Branchville, 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 has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 862-345-6896. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will have information on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture 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 work 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 bills!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can create difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, because only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it requires an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to create global warming. As a result, it might also sometime be discontinued. 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 companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming potential—approximately 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 could be forwarded on to you through your energy costs.
Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you require repairs. But as we talked about earlier, refrigerant repairs might be pricier because of the low quantities available.
In addition to that, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the warmest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other requests 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 provides a hassle-free summer and could even lower your utility bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. provides many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 862-345-6896 to get started right away with a free estimate.
