You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental laws, 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 discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Cambridge, plus how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 410-228-4822. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will have information on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also called R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its production and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to operate 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 replace your air conditioner, it might cause a problem if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, since only limited quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it needs a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to lead to global warming. Because of that, it may also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some companies have started 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 use by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be passed on to you through your cooling expenses.
Pliescott HVAC Services LLC Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you need repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs can be pricier due to the low quantities available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently malfunctions at the worst time, typically on the warmest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a trouble-free summer and might even lower your utility expenses, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Pliescott HVAC Services LLC offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 410-228-4822 to begin today with a free estimate.