Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.

Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Arlington, plus 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 discover if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 360-255-5857. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will contain details on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.

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

Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?

It depends. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to keep it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling costs!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can create a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be higher-priced, as only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. As it calls for a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the possibility to lead to global warming. As a result, it might also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

In preparation of the end, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy use by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be forwarded on to you through your cooling expenses.

Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you require repairs. But as we went over earlier, refrigerant-related repairs might be more expensive because of the reduced quantities on hand.

In addition to that, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re getting a lot of other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we advise getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a hassle-free summer and might even lower your electrical bills, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 360-255-5857 to start now with a free estimate.