Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, as it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Justin, plus how these phaseouts impact you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 940-202-1184. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will contain details on what kind of refrigerant your AC needs.

Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages 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 operating fine, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling costs!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might create a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, because only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the end of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Because it calls for a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. Because of that, it could also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

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

Pepper AC & Heat Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you need repairs. But as we went over beforehand, refrigerant repairs may be more costly since there are the low quantities available.

In addition to that, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is getting old, we advise installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and may even reduce your electrical expenses, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Pepper AC & Heat offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 940-202-1184 to begin now with a free estimate.