You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it needs refrigerant to keep your house cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.
Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, 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 Kankakee, as well as how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It No Longer Being Made?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it probably uses Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner has it by contacting us at 815-933-8213. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your residence. This sticker will contain info on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also called R-22, includes 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 controls refrigerants in the United States, banned its production and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It depends. If your air conditioning is cooling correctly, you can continue to run it. With routine 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 annual cooling bills!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might lead to difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs might be higher-priced, since only limited quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it requires a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it might also sometime be discontinued. 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 end, some brands have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming possibility—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy use by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be sent on to you through your utility costs.
Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you a whole lot until you require repairs. But as we discussed beforehand, refrigerant-related repairs might be more costly due to the low levels on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re getting many other appointments for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and might even reduce your utility expenses, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating has many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 815-933-8213 to start right away with a free estimate.