You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it has to have refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, since it contains chemicals.
Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Logan, plus how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it possibly contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 435-753-5515. You can also check the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will include details on what kind of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon 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, barred its production and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling costs!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might lead to a problem if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, as only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it requires an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. Because of that, it could also ultimately be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been announced yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming possibility—approximately 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 electrical expenses.
Western Mechanical, Inc. Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you greatly until you need repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant could be pricier because of the low levels that are accessible.
In addition to that, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re experiencing many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we advise upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and may even reduce your electrical bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Western Mechanical, Inc. offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 435-753-5515 to get started today with a free estimate.