You might not think often about how your air conditioner operates, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home 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 Kankakee, in addition to how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely contains Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner has it by calling us at 815-933-8213. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your home. This sticker will include information on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider Freon to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which manages 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 running properly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to work around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on yearly cooling expenses!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might create difficulties if you require air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be higher-priced, as only small quantities of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the end of R-22, most new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it requires an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to create global warming. Because of that, it might also sometime be phased out. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also decreases energy consumption by around 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 bills.
Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you need repairs. But as we talked about previously, repairs connected to refrigerant might be pricier because of the restricted levels available.
Aside from that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re experiencing many other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner requires a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we recommend installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and can even decrease your cooling expenses, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating has many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 815-933-8213 to begin right away with a free estimate.