You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it requires refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Rockford, plus how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at (815) 914-6197. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will contain details on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its creation and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It depends. If your air conditioning is cooling fine, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might cause difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, because only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. As it needs a different pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. As a consequence, it might also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks 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 might be forwarded on to you through your utility expenses.
Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you greatly until you need repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant-related repairs can be more costly since there are the reduced quantities available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re receiving many other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we recommend installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and may even lower your cooling expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at (815) 914-6197 to begin now with a free estimate.