You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it requires refrigerant to keep your house cool. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
Depending on when your air conditioner was installed, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Newton, in addition to how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 641-316-9803. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will have details on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls 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 use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it could create difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, since only reduced amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it might also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have started 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 lowers energy use by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be passed on to you through your energy bills.
Brookwood Inc Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you need repairs. But as we discussed earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more expensive due to the limited amounts that are accessible.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently stops working at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re receiving lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and may even reduce your utility bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Brookwood Inc offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 641-316-9803 to start right away with a free estimate.