You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it requires refrigerant to keep your house cool. This refrigerant is subject to environmental regulation, because of the chemicals it contains.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Temple/Belton , as well as how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it possibly has Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 254-307-9572. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will include info on what type of refrigerant your AC needs.
Freon, which is also called R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be bad for the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, barred its manufacture and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It varies. If your air conditioning is operating properly, you can continue to run it. With yearly air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work 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 bills!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it can create an issue if you require air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be higher-priced, as only limited levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. As it requires an incompatible pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that need R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a result, it may also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been disclosed yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming likelihood—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy use 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 utility costs.
Bell Air Conditioning Inc Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In brief, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you have to have repairs. But as we talked about beforehand, refrigerant repairs can be pricier since there are the reduced levels on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner typically stops working at the worst time, typically on the muggiest day when we’re experiencing a lot of other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a discontinued refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and can even decrease your cooling costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Bell Air Conditioning Inc provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 254-307-9572 to start today with a free estimate.