You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, as 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 go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Thedford, in addition to 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 contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 519-296-4437. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will contain info on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling properly, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can cause a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, as only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to contribute 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 likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be sent on to you through your energy costs.
Taylor's Heating & Air Conditioning Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we went over beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs might be more expensive due to the low levels on hand.
Not to mention, your air conditioner usually malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re experiencing many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and might even reduce your utility costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Taylor's Heating & Air Conditioning offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 519-296-4437 to begin right away with a free estimate.