You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner operates, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is subject to environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was put in, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Litchfield Park, as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 623-208-6444. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your residence. This sticker will include info on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees refrigerants in the United States, banned its manufacture and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It varies. If your air conditioning is working fine, you can continue to keep it. With annual air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it might cause difficulties if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be more expensive, because only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. Because it needs a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. Because of that, it may also eventually be ended. Although it hasn’t been announced 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 brands have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy consumption by about 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 electrical expenses.
Cooler Tymes LLC Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you require repairs. But as we mentioned previously, refrigerant repairs might be more expensive because of the low levels on hand.
In addition to that, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the warmest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we recommend getting a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and may even reduce your energy expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Cooler Tymes LLC offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 623-208-6444 to get started today with a free estimate.