You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Alliance, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably contains Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 308-321-4703. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will contain info on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, banned its creation and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It depends. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to use it. With annual air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it may create difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, because only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it requires an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. As a result, it could also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have started 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 around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be sent on to you through your energy bills.
Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we mentioned beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs might be more expensive since there are the low levels that are accessible.
Aside from that, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re receiving lots of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a trouble-free summer and might even reduce your cooling costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 308-321-4703 to begin now with a free estimate.