Which Air Conditioning Refrigerants Are Being Phased Out?

You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.

Based on when your air conditioner was put in, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in West Jefferson, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by calling us at 614-879-9091. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will contain info on what kind of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its production 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 operating as designed, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling costs!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can create a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, since only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to create global warming. As a result, it could also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be sent on to you through your utility costs.

West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about previously, repairs connected to refrigerant can be more expensive since there are the restricted amounts available.

Aside from that, your air conditioner frequently stops working at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re experiencing lots of other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we advise getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and can even lower your electrical expenses, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 614-879-9091 to start right away with a free estimate.