You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it requires refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.
Subject to when your air conditioner was added to your home, 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 Cottonwood & Prescott, plus how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 928-251-4327. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your home. This sticker will contain details on what kind of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, has 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 manages refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling costs!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it might create difficulties if you require air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, because only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. Because it calls for an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it could also sometime be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the end, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming likelihood—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be sent on to you through your energy expenses.
Connolly Electric & Mechanical Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we went over previously, refrigerant-related repairs may be pricier because of the low amounts available.
In addition to that, your air conditioner frequently breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re getting lots of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is getting old, we advise getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a trouble-free summer and may even lower your cooling expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Connolly Electric & Mechanical offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 928-251-4327 to start now with a free estimate.
