You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your home cold. This refrigerant is bound by environmental regulation, as it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Phoenix, as well as how these phaseouts affect you.
What’s R-22 and Why is It Phased Out?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by reaching us at 602-832-7808. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your house. This sticker will have info on what model of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, has 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 creation and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It depends. If your air conditioning is working fine, you can continue to use it. With annual air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your system 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 keep your air conditioner, it may cause a problem if you need air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs could be pricier, since only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer strong. Since it calls for a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the possibility to create global warming. As a result, it may also eventually be discontinued. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the phaseout, some companies have begun using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant rates low for global warming possibility—about one-third less than R-410A. And it also lowers energy expenditure by about 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.
Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc Can Help with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the alterations to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you require repairs. But as we reviewed previously, repairs connected to refrigerant might be pricier due to the restricted quantities on hand.
Aside from that, your air conditioner typically malfunctions at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re receiving lots of other requests for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we suggest upgrading to an up-to-date, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a trouble-free summer and may even decrease your energy costs, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR®-rated system. Plus, Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc offers many financing options to make your new air conditioner even more affordable. Contact us at 602-832-7808 to start now with a free estimate.