Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your residence cool. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, since it contains chemicals.

Based 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 Cambridge, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 410-228-4822. You can also examine the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will have info on what type of refrigerant your AC has.

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 results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, outlawed 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 running properly, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it can lead to an issue if you need air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be pricier, since only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.

With the phaseout of R-22, most new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it needs an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it might also sometime be phased out. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?

In preparation of the phaseout, some manufacturers 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 lowers energy consumption by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be passed on to you through your energy expenses.

Pliescott HVAC Services LLC Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In brief, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed earlier, refrigerant-related repairs may be more expensive because of the reduced amounts on hand.

Aside from that, your air conditioner often malfunctions at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re experiencing many other calls for AC repair.

If your air conditioner uses an outdated refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a trouble-free summer and might even reduce your cooling bills, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Pliescott HVAC Services LLC offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 410-228-4822 to get started right away with a free estimate.