You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, as it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Justin, in addition to how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 940-202-1184. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will include details on what kind of refrigerant your AC needs.
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 results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is working correctly, you can continue to keep it. With annual air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it might cause an issue if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, as only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it calls for a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. Because of that, it could also sometime be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy consumption by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be passed on to you through your energy expenses.
Pepper AC & Htg Inc Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed previously, repairs connected to refrigerant could be more costly because of the restricted levels that are accessible.
In addition to that, your air conditioner typically needs repair at the worst time, typically on the warmest day when we’re receiving many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we advise installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a trouble-free summer and could even decrease your utility costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Pepper AC & Htg Inc has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 940-202-1184 to begin now with a free estimate.