You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.

Based on 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 Marshfield, in addition to how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 715-384-3163. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will include information on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.

I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?

It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling properly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC 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 replace your air conditioner, it can cause an issue if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, since only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. As it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to create global warming. As a result, it may also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?

In preparation of the phaseout, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming likelihood—around 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 might be passed on to you through your utility costs.

House of Heating Incorporated Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we went over beforehand, refrigerant repairs might be pricier due to the low amounts on hand.

Not to mention, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re getting many other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we recommend installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and could even reduce your utility costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, House of Heating Incorporated offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 715-384-3163 to get started right away with a free estimate.