Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Marshfield, 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 probably uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 715-384-3163. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will include info on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its production and import in January 2020.

I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?

It depends. If your air conditioning is running correctly, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that replacing 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 cause a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it calls for a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a result, it may also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?

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

House of Heating Incorporated Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you need repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant repairs may be more expensive because of the low levels that are accessible.

Not to mention, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing lots of other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is aging, we advise getting a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and can even lower your utility bills, 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 even more affordable. Contact us at 715-384-3163 to begin now with a free estimate.