You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Lake Forest, 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 put in before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 949-204-0859. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will have info on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls 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 running properly, you can continue to run it. With annual air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling costs!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it may cause a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it needs a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to lead to global warming. Because of that, 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 discontinuation, some manufacturers have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming possibility—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy consumption by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be sent on to you through your utility expenses.
1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about earlier, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more expensive because of the limited quantities available.
Not to mention, your air conditioner usually needs repair at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re receiving many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we suggest getting an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and can even lower your electrical costs, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 949-204-0859 to begin today with a free estimate.