You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner functions, but it relies on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, because of the chemicals it contains.
Subject to when your air conditioner was installed, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Kankakee, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it probably has Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner has it by reaching us at 815-933-8213. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will include info on what kind of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which governs refrigerants in the United States, barred its production 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 operating fine, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system to operate around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that removing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling costs!
If you don’t get a new air conditioner, it can lead to a problem if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be more expensive, since only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is accessible.
With the end of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also referred to as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Because it requires an incompatible pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to create global warming. As a result, it may also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely 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 potential—around one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy use by about 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that might be sent on to you through your utility costs.
Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating Can Assist with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you a whole lot until you have to have repairs. But as we went over beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant may be more expensive due to the restricted levels available.
Aside from that, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re receiving many other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend installing an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This ensures a hassle-free summer and can even reduce your electrical costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating has many financing programs to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 815-933-8213 to get started now with a free estimate.