Are Air Conditioning Refrigerants Being Phased Out?

You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your house fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.

Depending on when your air conditioner was put in, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Temple/Belton , in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 254-307-9572. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will have information on what model of refrigerant your AC needs.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, includes chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, banned its production and import in January 2020.

I Have a R-22 Air Conditioner. Should I Replace It?

It varies. If your air conditioning is cooling as designed, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to run around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!

If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it might cause difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, since only reduced quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for a varying pressure level, it doesn’t work with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a consequence, it may also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s expected sometime this decade.

What Refrigerant Will Take the Place of R-410A?

In preparation of the end, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy consumption 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.

Bell Air Conditioning Inc Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you very much until you require repairs. But as we went over earlier, refrigerant-related repairs may be more costly since there are the restricted levels available.

Not to mention, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re getting a lot of other appointments for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires an outdated refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest installing a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a trouble-free summer and can even decrease your cooling costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Bell Air Conditioning Inc provides many financing programs to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 254-307-9572 to get started right away with a free estimate.