You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.
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 Alliance, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by contacting 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 details on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also referred to 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 creation and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It varies. If your air conditioning is cooling properly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning 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 bills!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can create an issue if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be higher-priced, since only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to global warming. As a result, it may also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy consumption by approximately 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 cooling bills.
Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we talked about previously, refrigerant repairs might be more costly because of the restricted amounts available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner usually malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we advise installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and could even reduce your electrical bills, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 308-321-4703 to begin right away with a free estimate.