You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it has to have refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental laws, since it contains chemicals.
Subject to when your air conditioner was put in, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Payson, plus how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by calling us at 928-263-8570. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will have information on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that leads to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its creation 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 cooling fine, you can continue to run it. With annual air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it could cause difficulties if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, because only small amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
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. Because it requires a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to create global warming. Because of that, it might also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming potential—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be sent on to you through your utility expenses.
North Mechanical Heating and Cooling Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you need repairs. But as we reviewed previously, refrigerant-related repairs might be pricier due to the limited amounts available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re getting many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and might even decrease your cooling expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, North Mechanical Heating and Cooling has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 928-263-8570 to start now with a free estimate.