You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
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 Lancaster, in addition to how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 740-331-4331. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will include info on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating properly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that substituting 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 may create difficulties if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, as only reduced amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a result, it could 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 discontinuation, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption by around 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 utility costs.
Fairfield Heating & Cooling Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant-related repairs can be more expensive due to the low amounts that are accessible.
Aside from that, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re getting lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is aging, we suggest getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and might even decrease your electrical bills, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Fairfield Heating & Cooling provides many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 740-331-4331 to get started today with a free estimate.
