You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it requires refrigerant to keep your residence fresh. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, since it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was installed, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Phoenix, plus how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 602-971-0567. 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 known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its creation and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is cooling properly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy reports that replacing 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 create difficulties if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, since only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it needs a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to lead to global warming. As a result, it may also sometime be phased out. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some brands have started 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 use by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be forwarded on to you through your utility bills.
Integrity AC & Heating LLC Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we discussed beforehand, refrigerant repairs may be more expensive due to the restricted amounts that are accessible.
In addition to that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we recommend getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and can even decrease your cooling costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Integrity AC & Heating LLC offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 602-971-0567 to start today with a free estimate.
