You might not think often about how your air conditioner works, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.
Depending 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 Libertyville, in addition to 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 probably contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner contains it by calling us at 847-362-0262. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will include details 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 damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its creation and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It differs. If your air conditioning is cooling correctly, you can continue to keep it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling bills!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it can cause an issue if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, as only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. Since 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 likelihood to contribute to global warming. Because of that, it might also ultimately be ended. 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 manufacturers have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy expenditure 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 utility bills.
TopTec 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 need repairs. But as we discussed previously, refrigerant repairs may be more expensive because of the restricted levels available.
In addition to that, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, often on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and may even lower your electrical expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, TopTec provides many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 847-362-0262 to start today with a free estimate.