You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.
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 Goshen, in addition to how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 513-392-4969. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will contain information on what type of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 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 manufacture 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 running as designed, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling bills!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it might cause difficulties if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be pricier, as only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. Because it calls for a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to lead to global warming. Because of that, it may also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming potential—approximately 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 passed on to you through your utility expenses.
Just Right Heating and Cooling Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you require repairs. But as we went over previously, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more costly due to the restricted quantities available.
In addition to that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing many other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires an outdated 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 could even reduce your utility bills, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Just Right Heating and Cooling has many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 513-392-4969 to begin right away with a free estimate.
