You might not think a lot about how your air conditioner works, but it needs refrigerant to keep your home cool. This refrigerant is bound by environmental rules, as it contains chemicals.

Based on when your air conditioner was added to your home, it may use R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll review the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Phoenix, as well as how these phaseouts have on influence on you.

What’s R-22 and Why Is It Phased Out?

If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it likely has Freon®. You can discover if your air conditioner contains it by reaching us at 602-789-3315. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is located outside your house. This sticker will include details on what type of refrigerant your AC has.

Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider R-22 to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that results in 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 differs. If your air conditioning is running fine, you can continue to run it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling expenses!

If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might lead to difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair later on, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs can be more expensive, because only limited amounts of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.

With the phaseout of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now use Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was created to keep the ozone layer in good shape. Since it calls for a different pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.

However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a result, it might also ultimately be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.

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

In preparation of the end, some manufacturers 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 reduces energy expenditure by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that may be passed on to you through your cooling expenses.

Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs

In summary, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t concern you greatly until you need repairs. But as we discussed previously, repairs connected to refrigerant might be more expensive because of the restricted amounts on hand.

Aside from that, your air conditioner typically breaks down at the worst time, frequently on the hottest day when we’re getting a lot of other requests for AC repair.

If your air conditioner requires a discontinued refrigerant or is getting old, we recommend upgrading to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and might even decrease your cooling expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc provides many financing options to make your new air conditioner fit your budget. Contact us at 602-789-3315 to begin today with a free estimate.