You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, 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 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 installed before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 715-384-3163. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will have info on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its manufacture 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 keep it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can cause a problem 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 available.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Because it needs a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. Because of that, it may also eventually be phased out. 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 end, some companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming potential—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy use by approximately 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 energy costs.
House of Heating Incorporated Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant repairs can be more costly since there are the low amounts available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner usually breaks down at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re experiencing many other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and can even reduce your cooling expenses, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, House of Heating Incorporated has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 715-384-3163 to start now with a free estimate.