How Does Air Conditioning Refrigerant Phaseout Affect Me?

You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.

Depending on 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 Zelienople, plus how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 724-425-5852. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will have details on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also called R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its manufacture and import in January 2020.

I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?

It differs. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, you can continue to keep it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!

If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may create difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be more expensive, as only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.

With the end of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. As it requires a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it may also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?

In preparation of the end, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming possibility—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 may be passed on to you through your energy expenses.

Knoechel Heating Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you require repairs. But as we talked about previously, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more costly due to the low quantities that are accessible.

In addition to that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re receiving lots of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a stress-free summer and may even lower your electrical costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Knoechel Heating provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 724-425-5852 to begin today with a free estimate.