You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is controlled 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 review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Mobile, plus how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by calling us at 251-471-2674. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will have info on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.
I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?
It differs. If your air conditioning is operating as designed, you can continue to use it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can lead to a problem if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be more expensive, since only small levels 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 developed to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it requires a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. Because of that, it could also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption by about 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 bills.
Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you need repairs. But as we went over earlier, refrigerant repairs might be more expensive since there are the low amounts available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner frequently stops working at the worst time, typically on the warmest day when we’re experiencing many other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend getting a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a stress-free summer and may even decrease your electrical costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 251-471-2674 to start right away with a free estimate.