Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was added to your home, 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 Tannersville, in addition to how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 800-941-0247. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your residence. This sticker will contain details on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs 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 operating properly, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports 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 can cause a problem if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, because only limited quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the end of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it requires a varying pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. Because of that, it may also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

In preparation of the end, some manufacturers have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—approximately 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 could be sent on to you through your energy expenses.

Speed Air Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about previously, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more expensive because of the low quantities available.

In addition to that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re receiving many other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and could even decrease your electrical bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Speed Air offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 800-941-0247 to get started today with a free estimate.