You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it has to have refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, 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 East Bernard, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 979-335-4262. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. 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 Freon 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 manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It differs. If your air conditioning is working properly, you can continue to keep it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system 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 bills!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can cause a problem if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. 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 lead to global warming. Because of that, it might also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be forwarded on to you through your energy bills.
E.B. Air, LLC Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you need repairs. But as we talked about previously, repairs connected to refrigerant might be pricier because of the restricted levels that are accessible.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re receiving a lot of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we suggest installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and can even decrease your utility bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, E.B. Air, LLC has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 979-335-4262 to get started right away with a free estimate.