You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, since it contains chemicals.

Based on when your air conditioner was put in, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss 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 No Longer Being Made?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 928-263-8570. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will include details on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.

Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages 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 operating fine, you can continue to run it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling bills!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might create difficulties if you need air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be higher-priced, since only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it needs an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the possibility to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it might also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

In preparation of the end, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming potential—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy expenditure 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.

North Mechanical Heating and Cooling Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant repairs might be pricier since there are the reduced quantities on hand.

Not to mention, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, often on the hottest day when we’re receiving many other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and could even reduce your electrical costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, North Mechanical Heating and Cooling provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 928-263-8570 to begin today with a free estimate.