You might not think much about how your air conditioner works, but it requires refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in West Jefferson, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner contains it by contacting us at 614-879-9091. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will include info on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls 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 depends. If your air conditioning is operating as designed, you can continue to use it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling bills!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can cause a problem if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, since only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it might also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy expenditure by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be forwarded on to you through your utility expenses.
West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. Can Help 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 talked about previously, refrigerant-related repairs can be pricier since there are the low levels on hand.
In addition to that, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re getting a lot of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is aging, we advise upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and may even lower your utility bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 614-879-9091 to start right away with a free estimate.