You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it needs refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Cache Valley, in addition to 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 uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 435-753-5515. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will include info on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical 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, outlawed its manufacture 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 cooling as designed, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to last 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 might lead to an issue if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, since only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. As a result, it may also sometime be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy use by about 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 energy costs.
Western Mechanical, Inc. Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed beforehand, refrigerant repairs might be pricier due to the low levels that are accessible.
Not to mention, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re getting a lot of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest getting a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and could even lower your electrical costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Western Mechanical, Inc. has many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 435-753-5515 to begin right away with a free estimate.