You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on 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 Arlington, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 360-255-5857. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will contain info on what kind of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, banned its creation and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It differs. If your air conditioning is operating fine, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning 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 create difficulties if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be higher-priced, because only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the end 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 healthy. Because it requires an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. As a consequence, it might also sometime be ended. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by around 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.
Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we went over beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs may be more expensive due to the restricted quantities on hand.
In addition to that, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re experiencing many other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and may even lower your electrical costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning provides many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 360-255-5857 to get started now with a free estimate.