You might not think often about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is bound by environmental laws, because of the chemicals it contains.
Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Eastland, as well as 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 put in before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 254-355-3833. You can also check the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will include info on what type of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its creation and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating properly, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling bills!
If you keep your air conditioner, it can cause a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, since only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the discontinuation of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it needs an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. As a result, it might also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming possibility—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy consumption 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 electrical expenses.
J & J Air Conditioning Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we went over earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant may be pricier since there are the restricted levels available.
Aside from that, your air conditioner frequently malfunctions at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re receiving many other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is getting old, we advise upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and can even lower your cooling expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, J & J Air Conditioning offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 254-355-3833 to start now with a free estimate.